Expert: James Ball - 10/10/2008

Question
Hello
We are renting a two story house with a wood burning fireplace up and down stairs, sharing the same chimney.
We don't use the downstairs one due to running a family childcare in the room.  However, when we use the one upstairs the downstairs fills and smells of smoke.  
I read one question about negative pressure.  How would we cap our bacement fireplace, should we keep the flute closed, and will it cost alot?  We are the renters and don't think the landlord will pay.

thanks for your help

janine and dale

Answer
Hello Janine and Dale, I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have, they install top mount dampers. Or you can get a top mount damper these mounts on top and a cable runs down the inside of the chimney to the fireplace, pull and lock the cable to close, release and the damper opens (cost $125-350ish)if you can do it your self.
hope this helped
James Ball