Expert: James Ball - 11/28/2008

Question
I have a small (24" deep x 36" wide) Majestic fireplace insert that smokes the room every time it's lit. Once the fire gets hot it stops smoking, but then when the fire begins to die it stops drawing properly. What are my options to solve this problem?

Answer
Hello Mark, What is happening is you are getting Negative Pressure in your home that is hot air raising in your home (and getting out through the attic vents, doors, lights) your house is a better chimney than your chimney. Also kitchen/bathroom exhaust fans, cloths dryers and the furnace all take house air out of the house (mechanical negative pressure) your house needs make up air, perhaps a open window in the basement? Or stop the air from getting out the attic.
Trail and error until you get this fireplace to work for you, maybe close off the room from the rest of the house to use it (close doors)
Or it could be dirty? 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.
James