The owner of Top Hat Chimney & Masonry discusses his favorite local firewoods.
Blog Post
Why Does My Fireplace Stink?
- By websitebuilder
- •
- 26 Oct, 2018
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6 Reasons Your Fireplace Might Stink
There are a variety of reasons why your fireplace might stink in the Triad North Carolina Area. At Top Hat Chimney & Masonry, we are familiar with this problem so we have provided a list of the most common things that we see and some solutions.
1. Negative Air Pressure - This problem comes up most frequently during the summer, typically when changes are made such as weatherizing, updating the venting system, installation of a new roof, windows, or even exhaust fans. When the home is sealed too tightly, even the mild odors are evident in the home as it may have no way of escaping up the chimney.
Solution: Keep the fireplace damper closed when the fireplace isn’t being used. If the dampers don’t seal well, this likely won’t be an effective solution. Top Hat Chimney Sweep & Masonry can assist with an inspection of your damper and provide effective solutions.
2. Excess Creosote and Soot - During annual chimney inspections, Top Hat Chimney removes excessive creosote which causes a smell that resembles asphalt or burnt Bar-B-Q on a grill.
Solution: There is no way to completely prevent creosote and soot deposits from forming in your chimney, but you can drastically reduce the amount of buildup. Burning seasoned (low-moisture) wood is a good way to burn clean.
3. Moisture - If there is water in the chimney, it can cause an unpleasant musty odor.
Solution: The best way to eliminate moisture in the chimney is by having a chimney cap installed. Without a cap, naturally, rain water will get into the chimney. Besides causing an odor, moisture can cause the damper to rust and fail to operate properly. Mixed with creosote the moisture becomes acidic and eats away at metal and masonry , and can damage the flue lining, which results in the need for costly but necessary repairs.
4. Animal Infestation - An unpleasant smell coming out of your chimney could be an animal. The most common animals to infest your chimney are raccoons, birds, and squirrels.
Solution: It’s dangerous to deal with a wild animal, our team is trained and equipped to deal with this problem. A chimney cap with mesh netting does a good job of keeping animals out of your chimney so they don't continue to be a problem.
5. Animal Droppings - You should be aware that birds called chimney swifts are protected by federal law. They don't stay long but they could leave droppings behind.
Solution: Proper cleaning is essential to removing diseased droppings that could cause harm to your family. We offer a yearly chimney inspection to ensure your safety.
6. Soggy Leaves - Leaves that fall and stay in the chimney can produce the smell of rot as they begin to decompose over time.
Solution: Yearly cleaning of your chimney and the installation of a chimney cap can assist in solving this problem.
No matter what your odor problems are in your chimney, Top Hat Chimney and Masonry can help in your Triad North Carolina home. Give us a call today, you'll be glad that you did!
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