Soot smell in sitting room

[computerman]

We have an open fire place, not used since last winter. I had the chimney cleaned during the summer. However we are now getting a strong smell of soot in the room, can anyone advise what may be causing it?
i.e. does it need a second clean, or will lighting a fire sort it out?

Any help appreciated.

 

[onq]

Its unusual you'd need it cleaned again so soon unless you're using it all the time since with a particularly smoky fuel.

Poor draw leading to blow-back can be cause by a number of reasons - a "cold" chimney, unusual prevailing wind conditions, fire insufficiently "hot" not driving the column of exhaust air up the flue, flue too "Long" or having too many changes in direction, or too changes too acute/severe.

Possible that the chimney sweep broke the liner or displaced the liner during the last clean. You'd need to have it checked by a competent sweep, perhaps.

ONQ.

 

[wino]

Hi Computer man, I have a similar problem and have been told it's a lack of ventilation in the room. It happens more often in the winter time because of the lower air pressure.I don't have any air vents in the walls and when the kitchen extracter fan is on it sucks air down the chimney and creates the sooty smell in the room. A quick soluton I find is to open a window slightly when the fan is on to stop this vacuum. Under advise, the long term solution for me is to try and raise the chimney pot because it may be lower than the apex of the house.I did try a spinning cowel but it didn't work. Hope this helps

 

[computerman]

Wino, what you say makes sense, smell is only around when pressure is low. As soon as the window is open the smell goes. Incidently, we have no vents in the room.