Expert: James Ball - 3/2/2010

Question
QUESTION: I would like to find a manual for a Temco Fireplace Model TLC 36-3MRE wood burning. I can not seem to find one anywhere.  Do you have any suggestions where I might find one or download it? Also we had a recent problem with our fireplace, after lighting a fire
it filled the room up with smoke, the wind was blowing outside and there was a wind coming down the chimney.  It has never happened before or since. Our flu is clean and the damper and vent was open. What could have caused this downdraft?

ANSWER: Hello Alice, I am sorry but I looked on the National Chimney Sweep Guild web site (over 300 manuals) but yours in not listed, if you live in a condo or row type home where there are multiple homes like yours maybe a home owners association might be able to see if some one has a copy (every one should have a copy in the complex) if you do find a copy can you please get it to me for that web page.
good luck
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: James, You only answered half my question.  There are not any multiple type homes, we have a single unit. A mobile home on 2 acres of land, there fore there would be no one to ask. What about the downdraft I ask about? I did find a manual for a simular fireplace from temtex.com, maybe it will be close enough to use.

Answer
Welcome back Alice, as far as using a different manual I would say it wont work for use or replacement parts.
Kitchen/bathroom exhaust fans, clothes dryers, and the boiler/furnace all take house air out of the house (mechanical negative pressure), stop the air from getting out the home.
if you think it is just the wind then maybe a taller chimney, a wind deflection cap, cut trees from around the house (it might be near by hills too)
Or it could be 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.
James