Possible Chimney Fire: Guidance Before Tuesday's Inspection

[No More Smoke-Shows:(]

Good idea - thank you. And after a small fire like that, will he be able to handle adding more sections if required?

 

[begreen]

He isn't going to wait around for a full burn.

Yes, unlikely, but if the smoke rollout happens pretty quickly, then next step.

 

[No More Smoke-Shows:(]

Got it. I think he's booked here all afternoon though to get to the bottom of this. So even burning just some kindling etc will be all we need to see if it's drafting - no big hot fire required?

 

[begreen]

Got it. I think he's booked here all afternoon though to get to the bottom of this. So even burning just some kindling etc will be all we need to see if it's drafting - no big hot fire required?

How quickly does the smoke rollout from the fireplace occur?

 

[No More Smoke-Shows:(]

If the window gets closed it's instant smoke in the room (billowing).

Excuse my ignornace, but I've always thought that even if you didn't have a draft issue, that a small fire would smoke into the room. I take it that's not the case?

 

[begreen]

If the window gets closed it's instant smoke in the room (billowing).

Excuse my ignornace, but I've always thought that even if you didn't have a draft issue, that a small fire would smoke into the room. I take it that's not the case?

No, with a proper drafting system there should be no smoke in the room. Be sure the installer does an inspection of the flue system for obstruction if this is the case.

 

[stoveliker]

If the window gets closed it's instant smoke in the room (billowing).

To me the fact that smoke goes up nicely when a window is open suggests the flue is fine (no blockage).

The problem is that your home does not have the ability to provide enough air to the stove, either because you do have another place where air is exhausting (do you have a radon system??) or because it's very very airtight.

 

[begreen]

To me the fact that smoke goes up nicely when a window is open suggests the flue is fine (no blockage).

The problem is that your home does not have the ability to provide enough air to the stove, either because you do have another place where air is exhausting (do you have a radon system??) or because it's very very airtight.

This is going around in circles. In the other thread it was mentioned that there is an HRV system in place that is "supposed to be" set up correctly and the fireplace has an OAK that has been checked for obstruction.

 

[stoveliker]

I see.
Well smoke does exhaust properly,.just not when there's no window open.
Air supply is the issue one way or the other.

 

[begreen]

Yes, it has sounded like a negative pressure issue to me, but I am not on site.

 

[Muddy42]

I agree, it sounds like you have a lack of draft. Any half decent professional can help with this. If you have a modern house, it could be too airtight (hence why opening the window helps) and you could install an external air supply for the stove. It could be you have an electronic device that is causing negative pressure - anything that pushes air out of the house can do this - extractor fan, tumble dryer etc. It could be that your flue is too low or poorly located. Or as described the flue could be partially blocked.

 

[kborndale]

People need to read the original thread before offering advice, we are just going round in circles. Maybe this thread should be merged with that one.

 

[begreen]

I am going to close this thread. It has played out itself and is indeed getting redundant.