Expert: James Ball - 12/23/2008

Question
Our home is 6 years old and our fireplace has always drawn very well.  My husband just replaced the cement liner inside.  This year the chimney does not seem to draw well. There is always a smoke smell and we are seeing suit on the stone just above the opening. Would a cleaning log take care of the problem?  We have never had this issue before.

Answer
Hello Debbie, you say your husband "just replaced the cement liner inside" and now you are having problems, I would start there, was it properly sized for the fireplace? if not it will never work correctly.
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