Why Does My Chimney Stink?
We get calls all the time from people asking this question. Nobody likes living with a smelly chimney, and most homeowners aren’t sure exactly what to do to get rid of the horrible odors.
If your chimney is making life in your home miserable, Felgemacher is here with some helpful information on why the smells exist and what to do about them.
Smoke odors are a natural part of chimneys
The inside of a chimney drafts smoke, so there are going to be some odors. Smoke turns into creosote, an oily, stinky substance that clings to the inner walls of your chimney liner. You can’t completely prevent this odor, but there are two ways you can reduce it.
- Create less smoke
Burn only dry, seasoned firewood. This creates far less smoke than wet, unseasoned wood. Firewood needs about six months after harvesting to dry out.
Additionally, burn only firewood, never plastic, cardboard, magazines, painted wood, or other non-firewood items, all of which can produce a ton of smoke that’s going to add to the odor problem.
- Have your chimney cleaned regularly
Professional chimney sweeping uses specialized tools to remove built-up creosote and soot from chimney flues. Annual sweeping will dramatically reduce the substances that create odors in your chimney.
Outside debris is a major cause of chimney odors
Debris from nearby trees and small animals can cause plenty of odor problems in a chimney. Leaves, twigs, and the nesting materials of certain animals will eventually rot inside the flue and send odors down through the fireplace. If there’s a chimney leak, this debris will smell even worse.
Then there’s the occasional animal that dies inside the chimney. That produces a smell you don’t want in your home.
Fortunately, you can prevent all this by installing a quality chimney cap to block the flue opening at the top.
Negative air pressure in the house
Even if you’ve had your chimney cleaned and there’s no debris, naturally occurring odors can still be a big problem if there’s negative air pressure in your home.
Negative air pressure happens when exhaust fans, such as those in the bathroom and kitchen, pull air out of the house. When this happens, the smelly air sitting in the chimney is going to be pulled out through the fireplace.
You can make this less of a problem by limiting the use of exhaust fans and ensuring your fireplace damper closes tightly.
Quick checklist for addressing smelly chimneys
Here’s a bulleted recap:
- Create less smoke by burning dry firewood and nothing but firewood
- Have your chimney professionally swept
- Install a chimney cap to keep out debris and animals
- Fix chimney leaks
- Monitor exhaust fan usage and the seal of your fireplace damper
Expert help for your chimney
If you’re dealing with a smelly chimney, Felgemacher knows how to help you resolve the problem. We offer certified chimney sweeping, chimney leak repair, chimney cap installation, fireplace damper inspection and repair, and other services to keep your chimney as odor-free as possible.
Reach a chimney professional by phone or through our contact form in the Rochester, NY, or Buffalo, NY, area.
