Does your chimney smell so bad that it’s making it hard to be in the same room with it? Or maybe it’s just occasional waves of odor that spread into your living spaces. In either case, smelly chimneys are no fun. Fortunately, there are a few fairly straightforward solutions to smelly chimney issues.
American Chimney & Fireplace of Louisville, KY, would like to share a few of the solutions with you here.
What causes a smelly chimney?
There are several primary culprits that cause chimney odors:
- Excess creosote and soot
- Rotting leaves, twigs and other debris
- Small animal nests and deceased animals
- Mold and mildew
Let’s look at each one.
Creosote and soot buildup
These substances form when fire burns in the fireplace. Creosote is highly acidic and gives off a strong, oily smell. When mixed with soot and natural flue moisture (or worse – moisture from a chimney leak), the smell can be overpowering and offensive.
Debris
If your chimney has no chimney cap or flue cover, that means falling tree debris has an open entry into the flue. Over time, this mess can build up and begin to rot, producing horrible smells that spread into your room.
Animal nests and remains
Squirrels, birds, rodents, raccoons, snakes and a variety of other small animals often seek shelter inside chimneys. Many go there to give birth, and the nests they build can add to the smelly chimney issue. When an animal dies in the flue, the smell can be downright overpowering.
Mold and mildew
These substances grow well in dark, damp spaces with minimal ventilation. That describes chimney flues perfectly. Not only can mold grow in a flue and cause odors, but it can also spread to other parts of the home and put the health of people and pets at risk.
Making the odor problem worse . . .
Smells inside the chimney wouldn’t be all that bad if they stayed in the chimney. Unfortunately, they eventually move downward and into living areas of the home. And two things can make them move down a lot faster.
- Faulty fireplace damper: If your damper won’t close tightly, flue air can move past it and into your home. Have your damper fixed and inspected if this is an issue.
- Exhaust fans: Exhaust fans, such as those used in kitchens and bathrooms, along with many types of heat and air conditioning systems, will pull air down and out of the chimney. Try to not run these appliances and the fireplace at the same time.
Initial solutions to a smelly chimney
The first step in getting rid of smelly chimney odors is to have your chimney professionally swept to remove creosote, debris and anything else that’s in there.
If you don’t have a chimney cap, one should be installed to prevent debris (and rain and snow) from getting into the flue.
Mold is best dealt with by having it removed with regular chimney sweeping. Also, make sure your chimney isn’t leaking, which will set the stage for more mold growth.
Make a smelly chimney a thing of the past
American Chimney & Fireplace has served Jefferson County, KY, and the greater Louisville, KY, region since 2007 with a full range of chimney cleaning, inspection and repair services. We’re family-owned and family-operated, committed to bringing you more comfort and enjoyment from your chimney and fireplace.
If your smelly chimney is getting you down, give us a call or get in touch by using our contact form.
We’re based in Louisville, KY, and work throughout Goshen, KY, Jeffersontown, KY, Georgetown, IN, La Grange, KY, Masonic Home, KY, Mount Washington, KY, and other local cities and towns.
