- Nov 27, 2012
- 0
Question:
Craig--I have a 2 story brick (about 45 years old) a masonry chimney with a double flue with a fireplace in the basement and another in the first floor (nothing else connected to this chimney I have another separate chimney for my heating). The chimneys are on opposite ends of the house from one another. The problem is that when I burn the fireplace on the first floor I get smoke in my basement. So I figured OK the house is so tight that smoke is going up one flue and down the other flue. With this assumption in hand I sealed the TOP of the flue of the basement fireplace. I still got smoke in the basement. So I then sealed the basement fireplace opening and still smoke in the basement. Not sure what to do from here. There is obviously a hole somewhere in my 1st floor firebox/smoke chamber/ flue. Any suggestions and/or remedies would greatly be appreciated.
Answer:
Sounds like you have it figured out. Smoke consists of extremely small particles, and I've even seen it come right out through welds in certain stoves ! Masonry has lots of small spaces where this smoke can seep through, especially if the construction separating the two flues is not done correctly. I think you're down to the last possible suggestions:
1. Draft inducer (fan) on top of chimney..This should create a suction that eliminates the problem.
2. Line the chimney...There is even special square shaped stainless steel that can be used to line the chimney and still use the fireplace
http://www.homesaver.com
Link: Lining Materials
Craig--I have a 2 story brick (about 45 years old) a masonry chimney with a double flue with a fireplace in the basement and another in the first floor (nothing else connected to this chimney I have another separate chimney for my heating). The chimneys are on opposite ends of the house from one another. The problem is that when I burn the fireplace on the first floor I get smoke in my basement. So I figured OK the house is so tight that smoke is going up one flue and down the other flue. With this assumption in hand I sealed the TOP of the flue of the basement fireplace. I still got smoke in the basement. So I then sealed the basement fireplace opening and still smoke in the basement. Not sure what to do from here. There is obviously a hole somewhere in my 1st floor firebox/smoke chamber/ flue. Any suggestions and/or remedies would greatly be appreciated.
Answer:
Sounds like you have it figured out. Smoke consists of extremely small particles, and I've even seen it come right out through welds in certain stoves ! Masonry has lots of small spaces where this smoke can seep through, especially if the construction separating the two flues is not done correctly. I think you're down to the last possible suggestions:
1. Draft inducer (fan) on top of chimney..This should create a suction that eliminates the problem.
2. Line the chimney...There is even special square shaped stainless steel that can be used to line the chimney and still use the fireplace
http://www.homesaver.com
Link: Lining Materials
