Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="CL82, post: 4067396, member: 44"] Speaking of fireplaces. When I moved into my house I notice a little discoloration on the fireplace brick. I wondered if the prior owner had forgotten to open the flu damper. I had the fireplace check and the flu was clear. When I made my first fire, I saw that there was a slight but definite curl back of smoke into the room. Really it was more noticeable by feel rather than visually. I talked with some neighbors who had used the same builder and they had the same issue. Opening a window didn't change the issue. I decided that the issue was likely because the fire wasn't getting hot quickly enough to get to draw the air up the flu and/or it was getting cooled in the relatively long chimney and dropping back down. My solution was to get a gas fireplace which would come up to temperature more quickly. After the install I lit up the fireplace and son of gun, though the issue was diminished it was still present. CO2 monitors said the air quality was fine, but there was definitely some heated air curling back into the room. I researched how fireplaces work, air flow and the like and decided that the smoke chamber must be too small. I tested this theory by taping up aluminum foil across opening starting at 2" and working my way up. At 6" the the airflow was perfect and all the heated air, which combustion product, went up the chimney perfectly. It turns out that they make smoke chamber extender (black metal, with a heat resistant enamel finish) which I installed. It looks good and the flu draw is perfect. My guess is the builder decided that a larger fireplace looked more attractive and changed the dimensions. I wish I figured that out before I converted the fireplace to gas. While is consistent and convenient, I like building and tending a fire. Still, it is easy and looks great. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach