Expert: James Ball - 10/24/2010

Question
the chimney is not tall enough and has a4ft.steel extension with a fan amiss on it.without the fan on it lets smoke in house. I wonder if I raise tire up the height of a fire brick if this would help? thank you Paul

Answer
Hello Paul, not sure what you have going on there, a chimney must be tall enough for draft (In most case's the tallest thing on the house), or what ever your city's code is (3' where it breaks the roof line, 10' in a circle if you don't hit any thing you are ok if you do hit some thing you have to keep going up until you don't then 2' taller than that "minimum")
now if you have a fan it was to help if you don't use it is acting as more of a blockage and will back up smoke.
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