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Stinky Chimney

While most of us do not use our fireplaces and chimneys during the summer, they can still impact our day to day living in one major way: chimney odor. A stinky chimney does more than just affect how you use your fireplace; it can create odors throughout your home and even impact your home’s air quality.

A stinky chimney is often the sign of an underlying chimney problem. Because of this, it is important that homeowners not ignore a stinky chimney. Instead, a chimney inspection by a certified chimney professional should be used to help uncover the underlying cause of your chimney odor.

Stinky Chimney - Ann Arbor MI - Clean Sweeps of Michigan

What causes a stinky chimney?

Chimney odors can be caused by a number of different chimney problems. Because of this, it is important to have a chimney professional identify the underlying cause of the odor to keep it from coming back. Below are three of the most common causes of a stinky chimney.

  • Animals: If you notice a sudden sharp or rotting odor coming from your fireplace, you most likely have an animal stuck in the chimney. Chimney odors from animals can be caused by droppings, nesting materials, food sources, or bodies of trapped animals that have died.

Whether the animal in your chimney is alive or has already passed away, wild animals should always be treated with extreme caution because they can carry insects, bacteria, and disease that expose you and your family to illness. The most common cause of animal entry is a damaged chimney cap; having the chimney cap repaired can help prevent animals from getting into the chimney again.

  • Creosote: Creosote is a naturally occurring byproduct created by all fuel-burning fires; however, buildup of creosote is most commonly seen in wood burning appliances. Creosote is extremely flammable and is the leading cause of chimney fire; removing creosote buildup is an important part of your annual chimney sweeping.

If creosote buildup in the chimney is not removed, it can do more than just increase your risk of a chimney fire – it can also cause chimney odor. Sharp, smoky smells – especially those that are worse during hot or humid weather – are often the result of creosote buildup. Having the chimney swept at least once per year is the best way to remove the odors associated with creosote buildup as well as make sure your chimney is safe to use.

  • Water entry: Moisture can be one of the most damaging forces to your masonry chimney. In addition to causing bricks and mortar to crack and spall, water entry can also cause chimney odors.

Even tiny amounts of water in the chimney or fireplace can lead to the growth of mold or mildew. At first this will create a damp or musty odor; however, over time mold growth in the chimney can create an overwhelming smell that also affects the air quality of your home. This can be extremely dangerous to those who have respiratory issues such as asthma or allergies.

You don’t have to live with a stinky chimney. Instead of masking the smell with air fresheners, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today to schedule your chimney inspection and get rid of your chimney odor for good!

Repairing Old Bricks and Mortar

Whether your chimney is 1, 10, or 100 years old, it is important that the masonry receives regular maintenance to look and perform its best. Unfortunately, even well cared for bricks and mortar can deteriorate over time due to age, damage, poor construction, or simple long term exposure to the elements.
Repairing Old Bricks and Mortar - Ann Arbor MI - Clean Sweep of MI

Repairing old bricks and mortar can help extend the life of your chimney system – as well as keep your home’s exterior looking fresh. No matter the age of your masonry, keeping it maintained can have it looking new for years to come.

Why does my masonry need to be repaired?

Bricks and mortar are two of the strongest building materials available, built to withstand time and anything that Mother Nature can throw at it. Despite this, there are a number of factors that can cause masonry to deteriorate; below are three of the most common reasons why masonry needs to be repaired.

  • Water damage: Exposure to moisture is one of the most damaging forces to most chimneys. Water damage can cause bricks of any age to chip, crack, or spall, but can be especially damaging to older masonry. While water damage to the bricks may be more noticeable, damage to mortar often occurs first; we find that many homes have damage to the mortar long before the bricks show any sign of deterioration. It is important to catch masonry damage – especially to the mortar – early before it impacts the structural stability of the chimney.
  • Improper installation: The quality of materials used and how they are installed often make the biggest impact on how your masonry ages. For example, choosing the least expensive materials, using reclaimed or not locally sourced bricks, or not hiring a certified mason can all lead to chimney problems in the years to come.
  • Settling: Settling is a natural part of any home aging; depending on the age of your home and how it was built, the effects of settling can range from barely affect the chimney to causing serious structural damage. One common sign of damage caused by settling is large cracks inside the firebox; settling can also cause cracks in the exterior chimney or the entire chimney to list or tilt to one side.

Repairing damaged masonry

Having a damaged chimney doesn’t mean it needs to be torn down; there are a number of masonry repair services that can be used to save and restore your damaged chimney.

  •  Tuckpointing: Tuckpointing is one of the most common – and effective – chimney masonry repairs. During the tuckpointing process, old mortar is carefully removed before new mortar is applied. Our masonry experts take the time to match the colors of the new masonry to the old, ensuring the repaired areas blend right in with the rest of the chimney.
  • Rebuilds: Unfortunately, if damage is serious enough the chimney may need to be rebuilt. While most homeowners cringe at the thought of the cost, task, and time required by a rebuild, having the chimney rebuilt as soon as possible can allowing you to use your fireplace again without worrying about structural safety.

    No matter what state your masonry is currently in, Clean Sweeps of Michigan can get it back to looking beautiful again. Contact us today to learn more about what can do to repair your old bricks and mortar!

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