img_0937

A big beautiful stone fireplace.
Notice how much light is coming down the fireplace?
A common feature in old fireplaces where that many were just a straight shot up from the fire to the top of the chimney.
Of course that made it easy on Old Saint Nick to pay a visit.
But, without a damper and smoke shelf, these old fireplaces would on occasion fill the home with smoke when the wind changed directions the wrong way.

smoke shelf

Here’s the proper way to build a chimney.

Originally posted 2015-10-30 18:16:04.