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Chimney & Fireplaces/what does this knob do?

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Expert: - 1/16/2011


Question

knob
Hi - we live in a 100 year old home with 2 fireplaces, one in the living room and the other located directly above in a second floor room.
The living room fireplace works perfectly, but the upstairs fireplace works well only if we are using both fireplaces at the same time.  Otherwise, smoke fills the living room.  
There is a small knob as seen in the attached photo.  Does this knob have anything to do with this problem?  If not, what is that knob and what could be causing the smoking problem?  I assume the upstairs fireplace worked when the house was new in 1911.
Thanks in advance..

Answer
Hello Meredith, I do not know what that knob is for, and what could be 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 area’s.
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 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 they might be able to tell you what the knob is for and install a two top mount dampers one on each fireplace that will close off the one you are not using so smoke can not come back down.
James

    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 9Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you for answering so quickly.


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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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