Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Why Is My Chimney Stinking?

During the warm months of summer, most homeowners pay little attention to their fireplaces. Unfortunately, there is one thing that can quickly make you pay attention to your fireplace system again – a chimney odor.

Chimney odors are often a symptom of a more serious, underlying chimney issue. Because of this, they should never be ignored. Instead, it is important to have your chimney professionally inspected to identify and repair the source of the odor.

What is causing my chimney odor?

There are a number of different causes of chimney odor. Because of this, a professional inspection is often needed to find the exact cause of the chimney odor. Finding and repairing the underlying cause of the smell can keep it from getting worse or returning in the future. Below are four common causes of chimney odor.

• Animals: Birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other small mammals view your chimney as a safe place to hide from the elements or build a nest for their young. However, even if they are only in the chimney for a short time animals can create significant chimney damage and a number of unpleasant odors.If an animal becomes trapped in your chimney and dies, the smell of decay can often permeate into your home. This can affect your home’s air quality, as well as expose you and your family to harmful bugs, bacteria, or other parasites. Even if they do not become trapped in the chimney, animal droppings, food, and nesting materials can also cause chimney odor. These byproducts of animal entry can also block the chimney or promote the growth of mold and mildew.
• Creosote: Creosote is a byproduct of fuel-burning fires and is removed during chimney sweepings. However, excessive creosote buildup or creosote that has not been completely removed can cause chimney odors.Excessive amounts of creosote are created when fires are allowed to burn at low temperatures for long periods of time. Likewise, burning green or wet wood can create more creosote buildup. Creosote can create a smoky or dirty odor in your home; the smell caused by creosote is most often noticed during hot or humid conditions, such as during the warm – and wet – summer months.
• Drafting: If you chimney does not draft properly, your whole home can be affected by smoky odors long after the fireplace has been used. Chimney draft issues are often the result of an improperly sized flue; this can occur when a new insert has been installed or if the fireplace has changed fuel sources. The odors associated with incorrect drafting often accompany other chimney issues such as smoke blowing back into your home when the fireplace is in use.
• Moisture: Water can cause serious problems to both the inside and outside of your chimney. Inside, the presence of water – especially when combined with other debris – can facilitate the growth of mold and mildew. In addition to creating unpleasant odors, mold growth can also affect the air quality in your home.

You don’t have to live with a stinky chimney! The expert staff at Clean Sweeps of Michigan can identify and repair the cause of your chimney odor. Contact them us to schedule your chimney inspection and get back to enjoying your fireplace again!

What Kind of Maintenance Should I Expect with a Wood Stove or Insert?

Many homeowners looking to switch from a masonry fireplace to an insert or stove do so, in part, to reduce the amount of cleaning, upkeep, and maintenance their fireplace requires. However, while these appliances do require significantly less maintenance than their masonry counterparts, there is still upkeep that must be done to keep the appliance working well.

Below you will find a discussion of the most common types of maintenance necessary for both wood stoves and inserts. While the level of work required varies by individual appliance, this should help provide an idea of what to expect before purchasing one of these heating appliances.

Wood stove maintenance

The addition of a wood stove is an excellent way to reduce overall heating costs while creating a warm and welcoming environment in your home. To keep the stove running efficiently, it should be regularly cleaned and inspected.

As with masonry fireplaces, the main area of maintenance for wood stoves is the flue. As the wood in the stove burns, it produces creosote, a black, tarry, and highly flammable substance that can coat the interior of the flue. Flues should be inspected and cleaned at least once per year to remove creosote along with additional ash or soot buildup. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, creosote is responsible for causing more than 70% of house fires in the United States each year.

In addition to keeping the flue clean, wood stove owners should take care to regularly remove the ashes from the stove as well as cleaning the seal and glass of the fireplace door. When doing regular maintenance such as this, abrasive chemicals should not be used; instead, use cleaners specially designed for fireplaces or simply wipe stove parts with a clean, damp cloth.

Wood burning insert maintenance

Fireplace inserts continue to gain popularity as they combine the look and feel of an open, masonry fireplace with the heating power of a wood stove. While wood burning inserts are not as efficient as their gas counterparts, they are more than 50% more efficient than a traditional fireplace.

While the EPA now certifies all wood burning inserts for efficiency, they still have many of the functions and features of a masonry fireplace. Because of this, wood burning inserts should also receive regular annual maintenance.

Due to the creosote created when burning wood, wood burning inserts should also have their flues regularly cleaned and inspected to prevent an excessive creosote buildup. As with any wood burning appliance, ashes should be regularly removed from the insert to keep the unit running efficiently. Homeowners can also clean the interior and exterior of the insert to remove ash and soot and keep their unit looking beautiful.

Whether you have a wood stove, wood burning insert, or other fireplace or heating appliance, regular maintenance is an important aspect of responsible ownership. To schedule an annual chimney sweeping and inspection, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today. Our expect staff can help answer any maintenance questions you may have about your wood stoves or inserts, as well as help you keep your appliances running safely and efficiently.