Soot coming down chimney

The man in red and black

Just wondering if anyone has any advice. Living in a very old building, converted outhouse style. Walls and chimney are ancient. Open fire place. Have had an ongoing problem for months now where for days after having the fire lit I get soot coming down the chimney and the whole apartment stinks of smoke. It is awful. The landlords have had the chimney cleaned twice and no problem can be found. I am really frustrated and have insisted on them getting an engineer or someone to try resolve it.

My own theory is that something along the lines of this is happening: Old stone is heating and expanding when fire is lit, when it cools and contracts the soot is falling off? Is that crazy? The landlord suggested months ago it was the wood I was burning(which they had provided) so I have been burning nothing but smokeless coal for nearly 2 months. The fire does not smoke when lit just soot coming down afterwards.

Any help or advice greatly appreciated even if you know what trade or professional I should be calling??

crock!

Sounds like you need a better chimney sweep.you should get a guy your self.someone that has come recommended in your area.also possibility of a down draught

aujopimur

If it's wide flue, then your average chimney brush won't clean it.

The man in red and black

crock! wrote: »

Sounds like you need a better chimney sweep.you should get a guy your self.someone that has come recommended in your area.also possibility of a down draught

Came home today to a chimney place full of soot and a thin layer of soot on all counter tops. Lit the fire and for the first while had intermittent bursts of smoke coming back down. What causes a down draught and can it be fixed or is it a major structural problem with chimneys when it happens? Thanks for your help!

crock!

Sometimes a down draught can come from top flue being broken.tall trees close to chimney. Or bad location of chimney.H cowl can solve the issue.i have often seen problems like yours from having no vent.or in some cases where a chimney has worked well but now doesn't and the cause can be from getting new windows that have no draught comeing in.and trees that grew too high

The man in red and black

crock! wrote: »

Sometimes a down draught can come from top flue being broken.tall trees close to chimney. Or bad location of chimney.H cowl can solve the issue.i have often seen problems like yours from having no vent.or in some cases where a chimney has worked well but now doesn't and the cause can be from getting new windows that have no draught comeing in.and trees that grew too high

That could be it as there are no vents in this house plus there was a second fireplace upstairs on the same chimney and they had the fireplace blocked off since the last tenant left. Could be the cause!

Thanks very much for your help!