There’s nothing as nostalgic as the smell of a wood fire on a cool, early Spring evening. It conjures up images of a crackling fire in a beautiful fireplace. Unfortunately, the smells that come from your fireplace aren’t always that pleasant. In fact, there are several factors that can cause bad odors to emanate from your fireplace. Most of the time, it’s a quick and easy fix to get your fireplace smelling great again. The first thing you should do? Check with the professionals at Owens Chimney Systems!
What Can Cause Chimney Odor?
Blockage.
There are several things that can cause blockages: animals or birds building nests, paper or twigs or dry leaves blowing into your chimney. The solution to this problem is obvious. Simply remove the blockage. Depending on the placement of the blockage, you may be able to do this yourself. This is especially true if it’s close to the top of the chimney opening. If the blockage is more complex or isn’t in a place that you can easily get to, you’ll need to call in the experts from Owens Chimney Systems. Not only can they get the debris out of your chimney, they can also offer suggestions to help keep these things out, such as adding a chimney cap to your chimney.
Downdraft.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America states that oftentimes a real problem is that there is air being drawn down your chimney . This means that there may be a pressure issue in your home. When your fireplace isn’t in use, a downdraft can occur that will force bad smells caused by creosote build-up into your home. Creosote is the by-product of burning a fire in your fireplace. These by-products can include tar fog, unburned wood particles, water vapor, smoke, and gases. These flow up your chimney and condense onto the walls of your chimney. Consequently, this can cause a nasty smell that can flow into your home. There are some simple approaches to take, such as burning votive candles in the fireplace when it’s not in use. However, a more permanent solution is to hire Owens Chimney Systems technicians to give your chimney a thorough cleaning.
Ashes . . . yes, ashes!
What is the simplest thing to look for when you’re looking for the cause of odor? The ashes that are left after you burn a fire. These ashes can leave a musty scent in the room. You should clean these up on a weekly basis to help control the odor. You can also sprinkle your carpets and furniture with baking soda. Afterwards, let it sit for an hour and vacuum it up for a quick, fresh-smelling fix-up.
Call the Professionals.
Chimney odors are not a problem that can’t be fixed. Check out these issues, but remember: the best way to solve a problem is to stop it before it happens. Call Owens Chimney Systems to set up an annual inspection and sweeping. You’ll get great tips to keep your fireplace clean and smelling great!