Why Does My Fireplace Smell Bad and How Can I Fix It?

Fireplaces so beloved in winter can stink in the off-season, and finding the source of the odor can be very complex—more so than detecting a disgusting scent in a packed refrigerator. So, you need to call qualified chimney technicians if you are wondering, “Why does my fireplace smell bad and how can I fix it?” At Burlington Fireplace & Solar, our NFI-certified technicians have the training to “sniff out” the root cause of your smelly fireplace. Chimney sweeps are needed because unpleasant fireplace odors typically come from the flue.

Why Does My Fireplace Smell Bad?

Chimneys may not seem like they would be problematic, but they are highly vulnerable to all kinds of things. And, yes, many chimney issues can result in a smelly fireplace. From moisture to animals to mold and more, the following are among the common reasons fireplaces smell bad.

Debris

If you don’t have a chimney cap with mesh at the top of your flue, debris could get inside. When leaves, branches, and other debris collect inside the chimney, an assortment of problems can occur. One of them is that the debris could create a rotting smell as it begins to decompose. The chimney may also become blocked, which could mean that potentially deadly carbon monoxide fumes enter your home when you light a fire. Get chimney sweeps to clear out the obstruction and install a chimney cap with mesh while they are at it.

Creosote

If a sour burnt smell is coming from the fireplace, creosote could be the cause. With every wood fire created in the fireplace, creosote is deposited in the flue liner. A fix for creosote odors is to schedule chimney cleaning annually or when creosote has built up to 1/8” in the chimney liner. Creosote is highly flammable, and it can build up in layers until it obstructs the chimney.

Animal Activity

It is not unusual for creatures such as squirrels, birds, bats, snakes, and raccoons to venture into chimneys. This is another problem that can be avoided with chimney cap mesh. But if it is too late and animals or birds have built nests or a creature has died in your chimney, contact the chimney pros at Burlington. Their extensive training includes animal removal and cleanup of the toxic waste left behind.

Moisture

If you have a leaky chimney or the lack of a chimney cap, moisture in the chimney flue could start creating smelly odors in the fireplace. Mold growth is another possibility, resulting in a musty sour laundry smell. Pinpointing the cause of a chimney leak requires skills that only experienced chimney sweeps possess. The trusted chimney technicians at Burlington can find and eradicate the problem and put an end to the stinky fireplace odors.

Call Burlington Today to Rid Your Fireplace of Unpleasant Odors

At Burlington Fireplace & Solar, we frequently get the question of the hour, “Why does my fireplace smell bad and how can I fix it?” Our technicians realize that bad smells can affect quality of life! Their training has equipped them well to give our clients the quickest possible relief. How you can fix all chimney problems is to call proven chimney technicians. We offer comprehensive services, including chimney masonry repair, fixing chimney leaks, fireplace installation, chimney inspections, chimney cleaning, and more

Give us a call today or fill out our contact form for solutions to all of your chimney and fireplace problems.