Expert: James Ball - 1/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: Some of the firebricks at the back of our fireplace are broken.  Would that cause smoke to back up in the house?

ANSWER: Hello Steve, it could, but more than likely you are getting Negative Pressure in your home (house stack effect) 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 boiler/furnace all take house air out of the house (mechanical negative pressure) your house needs make up air, perhaps an open window in the basement? Or stop the air from getting out the attic and other areas.
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


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We never had smoke until a couple years ago. What would cause negative pressure? We had a new roof put on with several new vents.  Would that effect it?  We had a chimney sweep check it and he found nothing wrong.  Thanks for your reply.

Answer
Hello Steve, yes those vents could be doing it, is there way the air is getting up into the attic? if so stop it and it should help.
you could 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 they should be able to help.