Smokey House

[acmanko]

When the wind is blowing really hard and constantly, the smoke from my fireplace reverses and enters my home, setting off the smoke alarms and filling my house with smoke. My question, does the height of the chimney need to be higher than the roof ridge? I know if a flue pipe is not higher than the roof ridge a high wind will trip the pressure switch on a gas furnace. So before I spend the money to extend the chimney, I thought I would ask if it will stop the wind from blowing down the chimney.

[Moose]

Rule of thumb...chimney 2' higher than any point within 10'.

[acmanko]

Rule of thumb...chimney 2' higher than any point within 10'.

OK, thanks. Now I know not only does it need raised but how high to raise it.

[jthomley]

FYI. Moose is right.

Here is the building code from the IRC 2003 for exact wording.

R1001.6 Termination. Chimneys shall extend at least 2 feet higher than any protion of a building within 10 feet, but shall not be less than 3 feet above the hightest point where the chimney passses through the roof.


jt

[acmanko]

thanks

[PW guy]

We just moved into a place with a natural fp which worked fine last month. Tried a fire yesterday with 30-mph winds and now the whole house reeks of woodsmoke. I'll have to look at the chimney when I get home.

[acmanko]

I found extensions in 3 ft lenghts at Lowes. price 69-84$$

[ga-hvac-tech]

Hearthman should be along soon... He will have the details (from both code and experience).