If you have noticed white stains along the chimney or on the walls around the hearth, you may be seeing efflorescence. However, if you notice that there is a lot of steam in the fireplace, water streaks along bottom of the chimney, or along the side walls, you will need to attach a chimney cap to keep out rain or other moisture. In some circumstances, a cap is not necessary. Often, when two-sided fireplaces are installed there is no cap placed on to the chimney. You can get rid of this odor by having the soot cleaned out of the chimney. This buildup can produce some noxious odors that drift into the home, whether the fire is going or not. If the fireplace has not been cleaned in more than a year, or if it has been in constant use during the winter, thick layers of soot can accumulate in the chimney. You can also lubricate the damper's hinge to ensure smooth operation. To fix this, you will need to clean out the flue and remove any debris around the damper. When not working correctly, the fire will not be able to draw a consistent supply of oxygen, and it will not burn efficiently. The damper is an important part of the flue in the chimney.
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This can better be avoided by installing a glass door on each side and keeping one closed while in another room. This can sometimes be controlled by opening the damper, but even then, it may not resolve the problem completely. Because there is no backing, this type of fireplace tends to leak out smoke into one or both of the adjacent rooms.