Expert: Bart Ogden - 11/21/2006

Question
Thank you so much for the info. It was very helpful! Just one more question for you . Do you think installing glass doors would help with this drafting problem by reducing the firebox opening?

Thanks,
Mitch
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Bart,
My home was bulit in 1800 and the firebox opening is 48"X 33". I never had a problem with the chimney or fireplace until a company came in cleaned the chimney and suggested that I needed a liner. They then installed a 7" liner. I now have a drafting problem and they can not figure it out. Every time we start a fire we have a great deal of smoke that pours out from the top of the fireplace. They can not get a liner any bigger than 7" into the chimney . Is the liner too small? If the chimney was extended another 3 ft would it make a difference? What is the fire box was smaller? Thank you>

Mitch
-----Answer-----
Hi Mitch,

There is absolutely NO way that fireplace will ever work now.  The 7" liner is too small.  Extending the chimney won't help.  That lining system should never have been installed.

The ONLY option you have for making that thing work at this point is installing an Exhausto Chimney Fan to physically exhaust the smoke out of the chimney.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem and sell you a fan.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com


Answer
Hi Mitch,

Doors might help, but I would suggest something more permanent like re-facing or remodeling the fireplace opening to make it permantely smaller.  By doing this you can bring the venting ratios into spec and not depend on whether the glass doors are open or closed for the fireplace to work.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com