Chimney Care Company's Blog

Ew! Why does my chimney smell?

Inside every chimney, there’s a dirty secret: Chimney odor. All chimneys smell, but under normal circumstances, chimney smells draft up and out of the chimney. From time to time, however, homeowners are stuck with foul odors from their chimney invading their homes. Chimney odor drafting down into your home can be embarrassing and frustrating. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with chimney owner.

What is that smell?

The first step in ridding your home of chimney odor is to identify the cause of the chimney odor. There are a few common culprits for chimney odor, and depending on the nature of the smell, you might be able to determine a likely cause. Common chimney odors include:

• A burning smell. A burning or smoky smell is one of the most common chimney odors. When smoke travels up your chimney, it deposits creosote on the chimney walls. That creosote comes with a smoky smell, or even an acrid smell when it comes into contact with moisture. Even clean chimneys can fall victims from creosote odors because the odor is absorbed by the porous chimney masonry.
• A damp smell. Musty, damp odors also commonly eschew from chimneys. Whether it’s due to a missing chimney cap, a crack in the chimney, damaged flashing or simply water being absorbed by the masonry materials, mold and mildew can form in the chimney, causing this unpleasant odor.
• A rotting smell. One of the foulest smells that can enter your home through the chimney is the smell of decomposition. From time to time, birds or animals can make their way into chimneys and become trapped. Or, animals who make their homes within the chimney might leave behind nesting materials, waste or prey. When these decompose in the chimney, the odor can be truly terrible.

How do you get rid of chimney odor?

When your chimney stinks, you don’t have to live with the smell. There are a few steps you should take to get rid of the chimney odor. Some strategies for alleviating chimney odor include:

• Having your chimney swept and inspected. The first step to eliminating chimney odor is to have your chimney swept and inspected. The sweeping with clear away any debris that could be causing odors, and the inspection will locate any other problems — such as leaks or poor drafts — that could contribute.
• Protect your chimney from water. Nearly all chimney odors are made worse by moisture, and some chimney odors have moisture as their root cause. Repair chimney leaks or faulty flashing, make sure you have a sturdy chimney cap covering your chimney flue and consider having your chimney waterproofed to prevent water absorption.
• Address drafting issues. If chimney odor is a chronic problem in your home, it might have to do with poor chimney drafting or an air-tight home. To truly solve chimney odor in your home, you have to be sure that air is flowing up and out of your chimney rather than being drawn back in.

What do I do if my chimney smells?

You don’t have to suffer from foul chimney smells in your home. If you’re experiencing unpleasant odors in your home, call The Chimney Care Co. to schedule an appointment — we can help solve your chimney odor problems!

Off-season chimney sweeping

When most people plan out their annual home maintenance schedule, their annual chimney sweeping and inspection is automatically planned for the fall, just before the start of the fire-burning season. That doesn’t have to be the case! In fact, off-season chimney services — in the spring and summer — have many benefits.

Spot chimney damage early

Winter is hard on your chimney. Moisture, ice and low temperatures can cause cracks in your chimney’s structure and lead to water leaks in your chimney and into your home’s roofline.  By having your chimney swept and inspected in spring or early summer, you can spot problems early. That gives you time to plan, schedule and execute needed chimney repairs during the time of year that you don’t plan to use your chimney. When you have your chimney inspected in the spring, you can be sure that you’ll have it ready for the next fire-burning season.

Protect your chimney from creosote

You know that creosote raises your risk of a chimney fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Creosote also carries another hazard: It is acidic in nature, which means that it can cause corrosion and damage to your fireplace and chimney materials when it is allowed to sit for a long period of time. Removing creosote from your chimney as soon as you’re done burning fires for the season reduces that amount of time that creosote can damage your chimney. When creosote sits in your chimney during the warm, humid summer months, it also can cause an unpleasant smell to fill your home. A chimney cleaning will keep you fireplace, chimney and home smelling fine.

Keep your home and family safe

Regardless of the time of year you schedule it, your annual chimney sweeping and inspection is crucial for keeping your home and family safe. Removing flammable creosote from your chimney drastically reduces your risk for a chimney fire. It also allows the smoke and gases from your fireplace to safely exit your home, cutting your family’s risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Avoid the rush

Because most people plan to have their chimneys swept in the late summer or early fall, that’s our busy season. When you schedule a spring or summer chimney sweeping, you can beat the rush. With a spring or summer cleaning, you’ll be able to schedule your sweeping quickly. And, if damage is found and repairs are needed, you won’t have to delay repairs because of scheduling. We’ll be able to address your chimney problems immediately.

If you prefer to be on top of your home maintenance, call The Chimney Care Co. to schedule your chimney sweeping and inspection today! You’ll reap all of the benefits of an off season chimney sweeping; you’ll be able to spot and address any needed repairs, keep your chimney safe from the damaging effects of creosote, keep your family safe from the dangers of a chimney fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, and you’ll beat the fall rush for chimney services.

Unsure of your gas fireplace? Have it inspected first.

Does your gas fireplace remain unlit and unused because you’re unsure of its safety? Or did you purchase a new home with a gas fireplace, but you’re afraid to use it because you don’t know when it was last serviced? If you’re unsure about the functioning of your gas fireplace, have it inspected by a professional, and you’ll be enjoying your fireplace in no time.

Signs your gas fireplace is due for an inspection

It’s undeniable that gas fireplaces require less maintenance that their wood-burning counterparts, but they do still require an annual cleaning and inspection. Gas fires release corrosive water vapor that can degrade your chimney, and ceramic logs can break down and clog vents, vents and fans need to be cleaned, and the chimney should be inspected for any leaks. If you’re moving into a new home and don’t know when the last time the gas fireplace was serviced, or if you are overdue for your annual cleaning and inspection, you should call a CSIA-certified chimney sweep before burning any fires.

Even if you’ve kept up your regular inspections and maintenance on your gas fireplace, there are some signs that your fireplace may require service immediately. Those include:

• Soot buildup on any part of your fireplace or chimney
• A bad or odd odor coming from your fireplace
• Discoloration or etching on the glass front of the fireplace
• Slow ignition or no ignition
• Sudden or delayed turnoff
•  Unusually dark orange flames.

What to expect from a gas fireplace inspection

When you call in an expert to inspect your gas fireplace, they will look for any cracks in and usually clean the glass. As ceramic logs can sometimes degrade, your inspector will look for and remove any debris from those logs, particularly debris that is blocking the vents.  Your inspector will make sure your fireplace is venting properly, that all valves and seals are properly functioning, that all blowers and fans are functioning, and make sure that there are no damaged or worn-out components. Your inspector also will look for condensation, proper clearances, and any cracks in the firebox or chimney. The pilot will be lit to make sure that it is functioning properly, and your technician will inspect the flames to make sure they are burning as they should.

Don’t delay your gas fireplace inspection

If you’re wary of your gas fireplace, don’t delay your inspection! An improperly functioning gas fireplace can put your home and family in danger of a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. The certified technicians from the Chimney Care Company can clean and inspect your fireplace to make sure it’s running safely and efficiently. We’ll have you enjoying your gas fireplace in no time!

Maintaining your pellet stove

You likely selected your pellet stove for its ease of use: You get to enjoy the glowing flames and added warmth of a fire without having to stack and haul wood, add logs to the fire throughout the day, or have to clean large quantities of ash from a fireplace. Nonetheless, your pellet stove does require some regular maintenance to keep running as safely and efficiently as possible.

Weekly pellet stove maintenance

Each week, you will need to perform some simple tasks, taking about 15 minutes of your time, to keep your pellet stove running as it was built to. First, you will need to empty the ash drawer. You will also need to inspect your stove for the presence of “clinkers,” hard deposits that form when ash melts. Clinkers can keep the fire in your burn pot from getting the oxygen it needs to burn optimally. Any clinkers will need to be removed; this can be done with a special ash rake created just for this purpose. Examine the inside of your stove for any soot buildup, and remove soot with a wire brush. You will need to clean the heat exchanger, as outlined in your owner’s manual. Check your flame to make sure that it’s burning bright yellow or white. A darker, orange flame can indicate that it’s time to call a service professional. Clean the glass so you can continue to enjoy your stove’s flame and be able to spot any potential problems.

Pellet stove maintenance tips

One of the best things you can do to keep your pellet stove running efficiently, cleanly, and safely is to burn the right fuel. Make sure you are burning quality pellets that are made from hardwood; softwood pellets create more soot as they burn, leading to cleaning and maintenance problems for your stove. Also, make sure you allow the auger tube and hopper to empty completely on a regular basis to prevent sawdust and pellet debris from building up in and blocking the feeding system. At the end of the season, empty the hopper completely, as pellets can attract moisture and lead to rust in your stove.

Regular, professional pellet stove cleaning

As with any fireplace or heating stove, you will need to have your pellet stove and chimney cleaned and inspected once a year to make sure that there is no dangerous debris built up in the system and that there hasn’t been any damage to the stove or chimney that could pose a hazard. Your technician will inspect the stove’s vents, wiring, auger, motor, switches, seals, and other important components. Your technician also will clean and lubricate the stoves motors and fans, something that is difficult for you to do on your own.
You likely selected your pellet stove for its ability to heat your home efficiently and safely. With your regular maintenance and professional annual cleaning, your pellet stove can continue to be an asset to your home for years to come.