Why Your Chimney Smells

Some causes of a smelly chimney are relatively easy to resolve; others take a little work. But no matter the reason, a smelly chimney is no fun to live with. American Chimney & Fireplace of Louisville, KY, would like to share some helpful information about why chimneys smell and what you can do about it.

Creosote

A very common cause of a smelly chimney is built-up creosote, which forms when smoke condenses in the flue. If you burn wood in your fireplace, there’s no way to keep your chimney completely odor-free, but you can reduce the smell by reducing creosote buildup.

Two Ways to Reduce Creosote Odor

The first way is to schedule annual chimney sweeping, which uses specialized tools to remove creosote in all its forms, including sticky, puffy, flaky, and solid.

The second way is to make less smoke. Here’s how to do this.

• Burn dry, seasoned wood, which is far less smoky than damp, unseasoned wood.
• Burn only firewood, never plastic, furniture pieces, cardboard, packing material, or anything else. These types of items tend to be very smoky.
• Don’t overfill your firebox with logs.
• Speed smoke through your chimney by keeping your chimney cap free of debris and cracking a nearby window for more draft if your home is particularly airtight.

Animals and Nests

Another cause of a smelly chimney is small animals, such as squirrels, birds, raccoons, and rodents. Some of these animals use chimneys to build their nests, which can eventually rot, become damp, and begin to smell.

Occasionally, a small animal will die in the chimney, unable to escape. This will create a very strong odor you don’t want in your home.

Chimney sweeping will remove nest debris and dead animals. A proper chimney cap will keep animals out in the first place. It will also keep out leaves and twigs from nearby trees, which can cause odors similar to rotting nests.

Keep From Pulling Odors Out of Your Chimney

While you can’t completely eliminate naturally occurring chimney odors from creosote and soot, you can keep them from pulling them into your home.

One way to do this is to make sure your fireplace damper is fully closed when you’re not using the fireplace. You should schedule yearly chimney inspections that will include ensuring that the damper can form a tight seal when closed.

Another way to avoid pulling odors out of the chimney is to use exhaust fans in your home, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. Any device that makes air leave the house will suck air down from the chimney. Keeping your chimney clean with annual chimney sweeping and making sure the damper closes tightly should reduce the effect of exhaust fans.

Service for your Louisville, KY chimney

American Chimney & Fireplace has served the greater Louisville, KY, region since 2007, providing professional chimney sweeping, inspections, repairs, and the replacement and installation of dampers, chimney caps, and other components. We’re here to help keep your chimney running more safely and efficiently, with fewer troubling odors.

Learn more about our services by giving us a call or reaching out through our contact form.