Expert: Steve Tavares - 10/15/2009

Question
Hi Steve, I just had a second woodstove and chimney installed in my basement.  The two chimneys are fairly close together and it seems that when I lit the upstairs woodstove, I got smoke in the basement, and I think it came down the chimney to the woodstove in the basement that was not lit.  It is below freezing so the air is heavy right now.  Does that seem feasible that smoke from one chimney came down another chimney?  Is there any code as to how close chimney's can be, or is there anything I can do so it does not happen?

Answer
Yes, This makes sense. As there is normally negative air pressure in the basement it would make sense that the smoke would come down the basement chimney.

If the two chimneys are close together (within a foot apart or so) then one chimney should extend 18" higher than the other.

Hope this helps.