Fireplace smoke backing up into your home? Test the chimney draft first.
Smoke Backing Fireplace Help! Smoke is backing up into my home from the fireplace! One of the most common issues with fireplaces is they sometimes do not draft well. You open the damper and place your starter paper and kindling properly and ignite the fire...next...
Can I seal my flue tight when using a non-vented gel burner log?
Vented gel burner log Q: I have a small, 100-year-old fireplace that I do not use because the chimney is unlined and I can't afford to get it lined. There's no damper either. I have decided to put a fake log and an alcohol gel burner (ventless) in there for the...
Unboxing Chimella
There are two types of Chimella. The green one for the standard and purple one which is large. The difference between the two is the handle of the large Chimella is detached while the handle of the standard Chimella is already attached. Don't forget to read the...
My Majestic brand direct vent fireplace is letting in cold air, what can I do?
My Majestic brand direct vent fireplace is letting in cold air Q: Jason, I have a vented Majestic fireplace. We do not use it, but it is getting tons of cold air into my house. The vent on the outside of the house doesn't seem to have any sort of damper on it...
Chimella the Chimney Umbrella Unboxing
Let's take a look and see what's in the box of a standard size Chimella Umbrella. Upon opening the box, you'll see the color of a standard size Chimella Umbrella which is green. The most important thing is the instruction booklet that you must read. Take the Chimella...
How can I seal an old chimney if there are retrofit plumbing pipes running through it?
Seal an old chimney Q: Jason, I have a property built around 1900. It is a three-story building with a three-story shed behind it. The chimney is located on the back wall of the building. All of the sheds are not insulated but roughly 50% are. The previous owner got...
How to Install a Large Chimella
All fireplaces have a smoke chamber behind and a lobby that goes to the left or to the right. It is so rare that it will go straight. Having a huge lovely fireplace in your home, use a large Chimella to perfectly fit in so you can feel the warmth of it. Insert the...
How to install a Chimella
The first thing to do before inserting the Chimella is to check the direction of your chimney. You need to know if your chimney goes straight up, does or it go to the left and does it go to the right. Look up and check the direction of your chimney. Place one Chimella...
Draft coming through the fireplace vent.
Fresh Air Vent Q: I have a fairly new home built in 2004. I've noticed that my living room area is colder than the rest of the house. I always thought it was because of the patio door or maybe the vaulted ceilings and it's a large room. There is a fireplace I never...
Replace the fireplace glass door and fix the damper, or use a Chimney Balloon?
Fireplace Brass This is an interesting post in Google groups in which a fellow used a Chimney Balloon to solve 2 problems at once. http://groups.google.com/group/alt.home.repair/browse_thread/thread/37116a6eda8bd6d1?hl=en Q: I am considering fabricating some doors and...
If Chimney Balloons are square or rectangle, how do they fit in a round flue?
Chimney Balloons Q: Jason, The dimensions you give for Chimney Balloon sizes appear to be for rectangular or square openings. What size do I use if I have a 9 inch round diameter pipe? - SH A: Dear SH, The Chimney Balloon inflates into place so the Chimney Balloon...
Is it a problem if I get rain and snow coming down my chimney into the fireplaces firebox?
My chimney into the fireplaces firebox Q: Does precipitation ever present a problem if it comes down the chimney and lands on the Chimney Balloon? Does it matter if it is snow, rain or whatever?- EL A: Dear EL, Precipitation of any kind does not affect the Chimney...