5 Reasons a Fireplace Smells Bad

There’s something appealing about the smell of burning firewood in your fireplace, but it’s not so appealing when the fireplace has odors when it’s not in use. It’s common for homeowners to notice bad smells coming from their fireplace, but there are solutions. The following are the top five reasons for a stinky fireplace and possible solutions:

1 – Moisture

Sometimes a fireplace will emit a musty odor, and it can get worse when it rains. This odor may be caused by moisture in your chimney. The combination of moisture with creosote can produce a pungent odor, especially when the temperatures rise in summer. In addition to the smell, moisture causes other problems, some of which can be very costly to repair. Moisture can ultimately cause the flue lining to deteriorate, for example. A damaged chimney liner should always be repaired or replaced before the fireplace is used again; otherwise, heat could reach combustible parts of the home and start a dangerous house fire.

There are different ways to fix the problem of moisture in your chimney, and it is often best to consult a professional chimney technician for an inspection, cleaning, and/or repair. The problem could be solved by simply adding a chimney cap, if there isn’t one. A waterproofing treatment on the chimney may provide the needed seal to keep moisture out. There could be more serious structural damage, however, since moisture is a red flag that indicates bigger problems.

2 – Creosote and Soot Deposits

Anytime you burn fuel in the fireplace, creosote and soot are deposited in the chimney lining. Creosote is a highly flammable substance that is tar-like; and soot is a black, carbonaceous substance. If a thick coating of creosote and soot is allowed to build up in the chimney, it can release a smell like unpleasant barbeque or asphalt. When the chimney isn’t cleaned regularly, these substances can also obstruct the draft.

Have your chimney cleaned regularly; this will reduce chimney odors and help to prevent chimney fires.

3– Dead Creatures or Scat

Animals are sometimes the cause of a malodorous fireplace. If a bat, bird, snake, raccoon, or other small animal gets into the chimney, it may not be able to get out and could die. Animal droppings can create bad smells, and dead carcasses can cause a terrible stink. It’s best to call a professional chimney technician, to avoid possibly being exposed to a disease.

Sometimes homeowners find that a bird called a Chimney Swift has made a home in their chimney. The birds are protected by federal law, and the only option is to put up with the noise and related smells until the birds continue their migration. Just be sure to install a chimney cap with mesh netting after they leave; otherwise, they will almost surely be back the next year. A chimney top with mesh solves the problem of critters in the chimney.

4 – Debris

If leaves, sticks, and other debris collect in your chimney, a smell like decomposing organic materials or rotten leaves can begin to come out of your fireplace. This problem can be resolved quickly by having the chimney cleaned by a professional sweep and by installing a chimney cap, to prevent more debris from entering your chimney.

5 – Negative Air Pressure

A strong sign that you may have negative air pressure in your home is if you smell bad odors coming from your fireplace after having the chimney cleaned. What is probably happening is that the home is very tightly sealed, and air is being drawn down the chimney, even getting through dampers to expose the home to unpleasant odors. There are various approaches to a negative air pressure problem, including the following:

• Reduce the air pressure imbalance by venting combustion appliances to outside air.
• Have a top sealing damper installed in your chimney.
• Install glass doors on your fireplace.

We understand that it can be difficult to enjoy your home when it smells bad. Contact our chimney professionals today for help resolving the problem of a stinky fireplace.