smoke coming down chimney

ned rierson

i have 2 fireplaces back to back. when i light the fire in one, smoke comes back down the other and fills the room with smoke. what could be causing this ?

Fuzzy Clam

Blocked chimney.

Atlantic Dawn

Have it cleaned and get a carbon monoxide alarm if you don't have one already.

Wearb

Are the two fireplaces air sealed fro each othe?. I am thinking that lighted fire is using unlit flue for combustion air.

hatevodafone

Wearb wrote: »

Are the two fireplaces air sealed fro each othe?. I am thinking that lighted fire is using unlit flue for combustion air.

+1

Open a windows in room with lit fire to verify

bcklschaps

I have the same problem.

I have 3 fireplaces in house. I only use one. But the other two rooms are filled with smoke when I light a fire in the first.

I think its something to do with smoke coming down the chimneys. (The chimney flues are a couple of inches apart on the same chimney stack) Although in theory this should not happen eg. smoke rises cause its lighter than air etc.

OP let use know if you are able to resolve

ned rierson

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

Blocked chimney.

nope

ned rierson

Wearb wrote: »

Are the two fireplaces air sealed fro each othe?. I am thinking that lighted fire is using unlit flue for combustion air.

but how can that be ? each fire has a seperate flue.

Kensington

ned rierson wrote: »

but how can that be ? each fire has a seperate flue.

The lit fire will naturally expel air from the house to the outside up the chimney.

Air from the outside needs to displace the air in the house that goes up the chimney.

If the only outside source in the house structure for that air is from the other unlit fireplace then it will draw air down that fireplace chimney and due to close proximity of the flue inevitably pull some smoke down.

mikeymouse

ned rierson wrote: »

but how can that be ? each fire has a seperate flue.

Airtight house ;fire drawing air/smoke down other chimneys?

Wearb

There you go. 2 good answers. Take Hatevodafone's advice to see what happens. Don't be afraid to open the window well up for half an hour to see if it helps. If that sorts it, then get back to us.

wayoutwest

Had the same problem in place I used to live. Seperate flues, perfectly cleaned and undamaged, but (in certain atmospheric conditions) would allow the smoke to descend down the unlit one. I found the only thing to remedy it was to light a fire (however small) in that one as well -in order to create a counteractive updraught .

ned rierson

ok thank you everyone. will follow yr instructions and report back tomorrow