Fireplace and chiminey

KCA_2

http://www.chimneys.com/burnsec/chapter1.html

Hope it helps

:-) Kca

Mitch_2

Does anyone know where to get information on

the workings of fireplaces and chimneys . I have lived in my house for four years and have never used the fireplace except a couple of time to burn those fireplace logs (made from straw I think )and the thing smoked alot . Someone just told me that you need a real fire to get the chimney hot to creat a good draft and those little logs dont do it . Any help would be appreciated . Also there is no one in my area who would work on this sort of thing except for a few brick layers who are better suited for bricking the front of houses . Thanks Mith

adambuild

Your friend is correct. The best way to create a warm flue and draft is to light a piece of newspaper and hold it up with your hand (careful!) near the flue opening. After the paper has burned, try lighting the fire below. Works for me every time, good luck!

Frank_3

If you haven't used it all that often am I correct in assuming that it hasn't been cleaned out in the same amount of time? Part of the problem may be junk accumulating in part of the chimney over all those years, or a dead squirrel or two.

That being said, I've had good success using those wax bricks to get the fire wood burning. I've also used, and seen others use, various manufactured fireplace logs which worked without any problems.

Craig_2

I concur

I agree with the others. Creating a draft with a lit newspapers works for me. I also suggest you hire a chimney cleaning service. They lowered a little camera down my chimney and showed me the decay (80 year old house) and evidence of a chimney fire. Putting in a liner was relatively cheap; about $700 if I recall.

-cf
Craig

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Ditto on that

Basement fireplace gets used once a year--employee Christmas party. In years past had to start fire early and open doors and use exhaust fan to remove the smoke that billowed out when the fire started.

This year burned a box from a case of beer first--no smoke.

Steve Levine

It's amazin

how little heat it takes to get a chimney active. By the way, be sure the damper is open!

Dave_23

Design

Regrettably, most smokey fireplaces with poor draw are the result of poor firebox and/or chimney design. This assumes of course that your chimney isn't plugged with leave, animals, etc.

Also, tree branches or other obstructions too near the top of the stack affect draw.

I would recommend a professional cleaning and survey before using your fireplace. It'll probably cost you about a hundred or two, but it's money well spent.