Chimney & Fireplaces/height of hearth etc

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Expert: - 10/4/2010


Question

existing hearth
We have just made a fireplace and have just had our first woodburning log fire. The chimney has been swept and is clear but we seemed to get 90% of smoke going up chimney and 10% was wafting out into room. The distance from base of hearth to chimney opening is approx 30" (75mm) and someone told me that the fire grate may be too far away. So,

1) Do I need to raise the height of the base of the hearth by another 12" (30mm) or should existing height be OK ??

2) If I do need to raise it, can I use a mix of ordinary cement for the floor of the hearth?

Any tips or advice greatly appreciated

Barry

Answer
Hello Barry, first if this is a brand new fireplace or rebuilt then it might  not have been made to your towns code (check your local building department) for clearance to combustibles, sizing of the flue for the opening.
before you start mixing cement get some bricks under the feet of the grate (be sure it is well secured and can't fall over) to raise it up and see if that helps, also if this happens at the start of the fire then you might have to open a window to break the house's negative pressure. (kitchen/bathroom exhaust fans, cloths dryers, furnace returns, even just the hot air raising in the home can all make this  happen)
James

James Ball

Expertise

I am a chimney sweep with over 22 years of experience, CSIA certified and member of the NCSG, I can answer questions about smoky fire places, wood stoves, and heating units (boiler and furnace chimneys) do you need a relining? A cap? And much more

Experience

over 22 years

Organizations
Chimney Safety Institute of America, National Chimney Sweep Guild

Education/Credentials
CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified

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