Reasons Your Fireplace Smells Bad

That awful smell you’ve noticed in your living room is probably coming from your fireplace. Which poses the question, why are foul odors coming from your fireplace? That’s an excellent question, but unfortunately, none of the answers are something you want. The origin of the order is specifically your fireplace’s chimney, and the causes can vary from problematic to hazardous. 

The initial step in uncovering the cause of the foul odor invading your home is to have a professional chimney sweep inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney. With that idea in mind, let’s investigate why your fireplace smells.

Chimney Inspections Can Uncover the Cause of Smells

A chimney sweep isn’t psychic, and you certainly don’t want them guessing the cause of your chimney’s smell; you should understand the exact origin of a scent. A qualified chimney inspector will perform a comprehensive inspection of your chimney to specify the cause of the unwelcome smell infesting your house. Our chimney sweeps are Chimney Sweep Institute of America (CSIA), National Fireplace Institute, and National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) certified, so they have the qualifications and experience to determine the cause of the smell in your chimney. Let’s look at a few of the possible reasons for smells in your chimney.

Creosote Odor

If you smell a strong odor that burns your nose when inhaling, you likely have a creosote buildup in your chimney. That isn’t good. Why? Creosote is a highly flammable substance produced when you burn logs in your fireplace. As time passes and you burn more wood in your fireplace, creosote will collect inside your chimney and form a thick layer. If a creosote buildup is found in the initial inspection, it’s crucial to have it removed immediately to prevent a chimney fire.

Mold and Mildew in Your Chimney

When you smell a damp, dank, and musty order, the culprit is probably mold, mildew, or a combination of the two. Mold and mildew clearly indicate that water is making its way inside your chimney. Mold and mildew could signal a number of issues like your flue cap being impaired or altogether absent. It could also mean the chimney’s masonry is decaying, and water is finding its way through cracked or broken bricks. It is crucial to have a moldy chimney swept right away because mold and mildew can impact the quality of life of allergy and asthma sufferers. 

Wildlife Odors

It’s disturbing to consider wildlife trapped in your chimney, but it happens frequently enough to be a problem. Chimneys without a chimney cap or flue cover make a tempting refuge for animals or birds aiming to escape the frigid winter cold. Unfortunately, it can prove easier for animals to get inside your chimney than to escape. Once the animal dies, it will decompose. It’s hard to miss an odor from decomposition; it has an oppressive smell, and there will also be blowflies. A chimney sweep with experience in wildlife removal must extract the deceased animal. 

Hudson Valley Chimney Can Eliminate Bad Odors Coming from Your Fireplace

If you smell strong odors from your fireplace, it could signal a serious problem. Let us inspect your chimney to determine the cause of the odor and quickly remove it. Don’t endure horrible odors from your chimney; call us today or contact us online to schedule an appointment with a certified chimney professional.