Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Why Does My Chimney Stink?

Whether it starts suddenly or builds over time, an unidentified chimney odor can make your home uncomfortable and stinky. Instead of turning to air fresheners or scented candles, it is important to identify and repair the root cause of a stinky chimney. This helps to keep chimney odors from coming back, and it also improves the air quality in your home. At Clean Sweeps of Michigan, we want to help you learn some things that can cause your chimney to stink and how we can help with it.

What causes stinky chimneys?

Unfortunately, there is not one hard and fast rule for what causes stinky chimneys. Different odors have different causes. Often, a chimney inspection is all you need to uncover the root cause of an odor. The following are four of the most common causes of stinky chimneys.

Animals

Odors associated with animal entry usually start suddenly. They are usually sharp or rotting odors and are often accompanied by the sounds of scurrying or scratching in the chimney. Birds, raccoons, and squirrels are just some of the animals that can – whether on purpose or an accident – become trapped in your chimney. Animal feces, food, drying nesting materials, or even dead animals can cause serious odors to overwhelm your entire home. In addition, they can carry bacteria, pests, and other microorganisms. Because of this, it is important to have animals professionally removed as soon as possible.

Creosote

Creosote is a dark, sticky byproduct of fuel-burning fires that accumulates in the flue. While small amounts of creosote buildup occur with regular fireplace use, not having the chimney regularly swept or burning green or wet wood can cause extra creosote accumulation. Smoky or dirty smells are the result of hot or humid weather mixing with creosote buildup inside your chimney.

While the outside of the chimney is designed to withstand exposure to water, the inside is not. The presence of water in the chimney is often the result of a chimney leak. Leaky chimneys can cause dank, damp odors, as water has trouble evaporating in the cool, dark chimney.

Water

In addition, water in the firebox or chimney can lead to mold or mildew growth, which can significantly negatively impact the air quality in the home. People with respiratory conditions such as asthma are at risk of health complications such as breathing issues when mold is present.

Drafting

Drafting issues can cause smoky fireplace odors too. However, smells associated with drafting issues are most common on windy days – and when the fireplace is in use. Drafting issues are commonly caused by a flue that is the wrong size. If a new insert has been installed or if the fuel source of the fireplace has been changed, the flue may need to be relined to ensure proper draft.

Don’t let a stinky chimney ruin the air quality in your home. Instead, you should invest in fireplace experts at Clean Sweeps of Michigan today. Our chimney experts can provide you with more information on chimney odors or your next chimney inspection.

Top 5 Reasons You Need Chimney Repairs

We rely on our fireplaces and chimneys to burn safely and efficiently year after year. For many homeowners, it is difficult to know when our chimneys are damaged or need repairs. The following are top 5 signs that your chimney need repairs.

1. There is water in the fireplace

The exterior masonry of chimneys is designed to withstand the exposure to wind, rain, sun, and more. The interior fireplace components, however, are much more delicate. Because of this, even small amounts of water in the fireplace can cause serious damage.

When water gets inside your fireplace, this results in a leaky chimney. When a leak occurs, it is important to have a chimney inspection and repairs by a certified chimney sweep. This ensures damage caused by water is properly repaired – and keep water from coming back.

2. There are cracks in the masonry

Small areas of chips, cracks, or missing masonry on the chimney are caused by long-term water damage that needs repairs. Oftentimes, the tuckpointing process can be used to remove old and damaged mortar by water. The chimney sweep carefully removes the old mortar before mixing and replacing new masonry. The result is a seamless repair that is indistinguishable from the original masonry.

Large cracks in the chimney can also be caused by the settling of your house or chimney. If the chimney is not built on proper pads or footing, the chimney can crack as it shifts and settles over time. A chimney inspection is often needed to determine if damage from settling is a structural issue or merely a cosmetic issue.

3. The chimney stinks

There are a number of causes for chimney odor. The type of smell your chimney has can be a clue to what the underlying cause is. Smoky odors, particularly on hot or humid days, are often the result of creosote buildup in the flue. A chimney sweeping can remove creosote, eliminating the smell and reducing the risk of an accidental chimney fire. Dank or damp odors are usually the result of a leaky chimney. The combination of water and cold, dark flues can result in mold or mildew growth when there is water present in the chimney.

4. The outside of the chimney is stained

Exterior masonry stains affects more than just your curb appeal. The color of the stain can reveal the root of the problem. Dark brown or black stains are often the result of drafting issues or an excess of creosote in the flue. Red or orange stains are usually caused by metal chimney components that are rusted, which is common on the sides of manufactured or factory-built chimneys.

5. The fireplace smokes when used

A fireplace that blows smoke back into the room when in use is the result of drafting issues. Drafting problems are caused by chimney height, the addition of new landscaping or nearby buildings, the installation of a new insert, or switching fuel sources. Having the flue relined or adding or subtracting height to the chimney are two ways to help improve fireplace drafting issues.

Our chimneys need regular maintenance to burn their best. For more information on chimney repairs or schedule your next appointment, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!