Expert: James Ball - 11/22/2008

Question
Hi James I am 26 years old and recently bought a house with a kindle wood woddburning insert in it and can not get it to operate properly. As i examine the chimney it has three columns in it that are 7 By 11 inch rectangles. On the outside of the chimney on the two outside columns there are sliding vents do these need to be opened? Also there is no flue other than the one that is on the insert itself and there is no cap on my chimney are these both regular practices in chimney building? The reason I send this e-mail is because I can not get the wood burner to quit producing massive amounts of suut on the glass and in the chimney. Please any information will be helpful. Thanks Justin

Answer
Hello Justin, you have several things going on and 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 to be sure your insert is installed correctly and be safe
Keep me posted
James