Expert: James Ball - 9/3/2010

Question
Hi,
6 yers ago we had a fireplace constructed in our addition that is double sided...except when we had a fire (only once) the whole house smoke badly and we immediately put the fire out.  Now we want to address whatever the problem is...we have been told the area directly above the box is flat rather than being made with a gradual slant into the chimney. Someone else said if we put glass doors on it it would allow it to draw...Also was suggested that the firebox is way to big (kids do run through it).  Someone else suggested raising the floor up to help it draw...and one more suggestion was to put a fan in the cap...???  It is a wood burning fireplace but we did have it plumbed when it was built in case we wanted to convert it to gas.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jane

Answer
Hello Jane, it sounds like you might have a negative pressure issue, set up a small fire, 2-4 sticks and 2 piece's of news paper, then open the damper if you feel cold air on your hand (or blowing smoke from a piece of incense then open a door or window (4 ") and re check if the air is coming down. once you feel the air going up light your fire and if it works add more small sticks till after it is going good (1-2 minutes) close door and window and it should work fine. By opening the door or window you allow the house and the fireplace to breath.
Glas doors on both side will really help (sorry kids)
fan on top is last resort
trial and error till you learn how to use it.
James