Backdraught in 10m high chimney
My stainless steel insulated chimney goes straight up from the woodburner to above the level of the roof line (10m). The woodburner stands in fairly large room of about 500m3. There are no trees on the windward side of the house, a few on the other side but they are bare (it’s winter). I have a fixed anti-downdraught cowl (I think; its just a lid and some anit-spark meshing). The chimney looks clean enough (I can see a perfectly round circle of light when I look up it) and the mesh isn’t clogged. Everyone I ask (including the experts) says it should have perfect draught. Thing is, it hasn’t. On windy autumn days there will be so much backdraught that I can’t get the thing going without filling the house full of smoke. Any ideas? Anything I’ve missed? Thanks.
Responses
I’ve had good luck with a special downdraft cap called the Vacustack, made by ICP. Very similar to the product listed on my website, made by homesaver. Check it out:
http://www.chimneycaps.com/
As winds come from diffrent directions at diffrent times I dont know how a “fixed” cowl would work all the time. If it’s truly a wind induced draft the vacustack may help.
If it’s a negative pressure issue it will do nothing for you.
The problem only accurs in the fall? Is the stove/fireplace on the lower most level of your home?
Try opening the closest window or door during this smoking time and see if its better or worse. Preheat the chimney with a heat gun-type hair dryer or bottle torch to see if that helps.
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