What Causes Chimney Odors?

by | Sep 29, 2014 | Chimney Maintenance

Having a fireplace can increase your enjoyment and relaxation in your home; however, sometimes, unpleasant odors can invade your house from your chimney through your fireplace. No one wants to spend time in a smelly room, so chimney odors can be inconvenient. These odors can also signify problems existing within your chimney, so when you do notice stinky smells coming from your fireplace, be sure to contact Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service so we can look for the cause behind the odor. If you are smelling odors in your home, you may have an issue with air pressures in your home. Any foul odors present in your home will need to be addressed because it is affecting the air quality in your home.

What are some of the causes of chimney odors? We would like to tell you about a few of the culprits behind smelly chimneys as well as how we can solve your odor problems.

Creosote

Nasty Chimney Smell - Raleigh NC - Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service

According to Chimneys.com, an online resource for homeowners and chimney professionals, creosote is the main cause behind chimney odors. With a strong, acrid smell, creosote odor tends to worsen in wet weather or in the summer when your chimney is less effective in drawing this stinky odor up and out of your chimney. Moisture makes the creosote odor even worse, so if your chimney is missing a chimney cap, you will most likely have to endure this unpleasant smell every time it rains. Our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps at Mr. Smokestack can rid your chimney of deposits of creosote buildup during an annual chimney sweeping. However, you should keep in mind that creosote can penetrate your chimney lining so there may still be odors remaining after the sweeping. One thing you can do in the summertime to keep the creosote odor out of your home is disconnecting the stove pipe and sticking a metal cap in the thimble (the hole in your chimney). Blocking off your chimney during the summer helps greatly to keep odors from seeping into your house through the fireplace.

Animals

Sometimes animals like birds, squirrels, and raccoons like to take up residence inside your chimney, and the debris and droppings from these animals can give off unpleasant odors. Even worse, an animal can become trapped and die within your chimney, and the stench of a dead animal can be unbearable. If you suspect your chimney odor is caused by either living or dead animals, call a professional animal remover to take care of this problem for you.

Mold

If your chimney is experiencing water leaks, there is a good chance mold could be growing inside your chimney. Not only does mold present a dangerous health hazard to you and your family, but it also causes that distinctive musty odor. Most people are familiar with the smell of mold, and if you do ever notice the tell-tale smell of mold coming from your fireplace, you most likely do have mold growing within your chimney. As breathing in mold can cause serious respiratory problems, you should contact Mr. Smokestack whenever you suspect mold growth in your chimney.

If you are experiencing unpleasant odors coming from your chimney, do not hesitate to contact Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service today. We can clean your chimney to get rid of those stinky smells.

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