Expert: James Ball - 12/29/2008

Question
Hi there, we live in a an old farm house with a large fireplace and have just re converted it to an open log fire, all seemed well when we first lit it but after a few minutes smoke started coming into the room. The chimney has just been swept. How can this be solved.

Answer
Hello Rob, you say it "was just re converted it to a open log fire"?was there a wood stove before? did it ever work before it was converted? it is possible that you have a negative pressure issue in your home that is hot air rising 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)
Was the damper open? 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