Expert: James Ball - 11/11/2008

Question
I have purchased and house with a wood insert installed in
an unlined 13x13 flue.  When starting a fire it exhausts in
the house and I have checked several times to ensure the
flue is open. Would installing a 6 or 8 liner solve this
problem.

Answer
Hello Blaine, you must line to the top in an un lined chimney (should be insulated also) 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.
Try opening a door or window when you light the fire, it sounds like negative pressure once the fire is going it should draft and close the window.
James