Expert: James Ball - 10/10/2009

Question
We are renting an older home with a stone fireplace where the flute seems to be in the floor of the firebox instead of the chimney. Is this possible and if so how do we work this open with a fire going above the opening. The stone chimney is on the outside wall and the hole seems to be part of the chimney Thanks Ruby Leblanc

Answer
Hello Ruby, A flue is an air channel usually made of flue tile, not sure what you have a small door on the floor is an Ash Trap and it sounds like the Damper is on the floor and must be replaced and then it will open for a fire and close when not in use, 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 they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James