Expert: James Ball - 12/15/2011

Question
i just installed a metal chimney and the other day the wind was blowing pretty good and the rag i had stuffed into the opening got sucked into the pipe. now im ready to hook up the coal stove and the wind is blowing, but no draw. actually it is blowing into my house, rather than drafting out. my friends said i only need to add heat to the chimney and it will draw fine . is this true. thank you for your time. jim

Answer
Hello Jim, you need to make sure the rag is out (use a mirror to look up) then the "blowing into my house" is negative pressure open a door or window near the shove/chimney and see if it works then (you might have to do this every time you open/use the stove). What is 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.
Happy holidays
James