Expert: James Ball - 10/21/2009

Question
hi. i have a wood burning fireplace in my home, its in the wall and vents with a flew pipe going threw the roof. my problem is i constantly get alot of smoke in my house. when the fire is burning most smoke goes threw the flue but smoke will come out the front of the fireplace no matter if i have 2 pieces of wood in it or 5 pieces. to use it i have to push the wood all the way in the back of the rack so it wont smoke out my living room and even then its not good. what should i do. i love the fireplace but its not enjoyable to use.

Answer
Hello Kevin,  it sounds like a negative pressure issue try using the fireplace with a door open and see if it make a difference, if that fixes it then you need more air for the home or stop air from getting out in other places (cloths dryer, furnace/boiler, kitchen/bathroom exhaust fans, radon systems, drop down attic stairs, whole house attic fans and other fireplace's)may be fighting for air with the fireplace. also is it 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 they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James