Smokey downstairs room from upstairs fireplace - Question.

[Dee67]

We have 2 fireplaces, one is directly over the other. We've never used the downstairs one, and when we burn in the upstairs one, the room where the other is gets full of smoke.

The flue is closed on the downstairs one, and in a lame know nothing attempt, I tried blocking up the downstairs one by covering it with things, no difference.

It's not thick smoke, but it's visible and stinks. I don't know squat about fireplaces so be gentle please 😉

What can/should I do to eliminate this problem, to the best of my knowledge, both fireplaces and the chimney are all in good condition.. Thanks 🙂

 

[ToBeMe]

Your downstairs fireplace is essentially drawing the smoke back down because it is cold. Have you ever been told or seen anyone light some paper up high in the flu below the damper before the light the actual fire? This is done to warm up the flu in use so that it draws the smoke out as it is intended to do!

There are also other possibilities........is the downstairs flu liner larger than the secondary flu liner from the upstairs fireplace? This could also be a concern. One way to eliminate this is by covering the flu that leads to your downstairs fireplace while the upstairs one is in use......if this fixes it.....you know the problem!🙂

Another, and much worse concern is always shoddy workmanship.🙁 If the flu liners used are the "Clay Flu Tile", they are often times not true to shape meaning the do not seal directly. Most "good" masons will use a substance called "Quickset" between the clay flu tile to assure a good seal......but.....I have seen where nothing was used between the flu tile and rerods were used to hold the tile in place. Problem is.....this almost always results in a firplace which smokes back!🙁

If I had more detail, I may be able to assist further.........😉

 

[Geforcekj]

wow there is an answer to everything on ATOT.... 🙂

 

[LAUST]

just that worthless $.02 😉