Expert: James Ball - 11/27/2008

Question
I used a Pine Mountain fire log in my Don-Bar 9200 (http://www.don-bar.com)island fireplace. It was 41 deg. outside and 70 deg. inside (had windows closed. The duct air intake damper below and the flue damper above were both open. Glass doors are intended to be closed, but have open corner joints.  The log burned with a good flame for over two hours and was odorless.  As it was dying out smoke began to intensify and also infiltrate the room. Not dense in the room, but far more than is acceptable with smoke odor.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

---Jack

Answer
Hello Jack, when your air in the fireplace is hotter than the air in the house it will draft, as the fire dies out and cools the air in the house (negative pressure) will take back over and draw air down the chimney to feed the house. 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