Expert: James Ball - 11/28/2009

Question
We have lived in our home for almost 24 years - and it was a new home when we moved in.  We recently had the fireplace "cleaned" and everytime we light a fire with real wood - not the fire logs - we get smoke coming out from the fireplace and into the downstairs and eventually the upstairs as well.  Doesn't matter what wood we burn - it backs up.  I am to the point that I need to get to the root of this problem -  why is it starting the last few years?  It was fine before - but now seems to be getting worse.  I love a fire - and don't want to not use our fireplace...help!  We have had cleaned a few times - so if something wasn't right - shouldn't they have told us?  Also - the problem started the last few years - and was fine all these other years.  The smoke comes when we put real wood on - and it burns for a while....so not immediately - more when the fire is started to die....any suggestions?  

Answer
Hello Rhonda, some thing in the house has changed and what is happening is 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, another fireplace (is it closed?)) your house is a better chimney than your chimney. Also kitchen/bathroom exhaust fans, clothes dryers, Radon systems 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 the damper could be off the track?
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