Smelly Chimney
A smelly chimney is a nuisance. But it can be much more than that. It can also be a signal that something is wrong in your chimney system and needs to be addressed.
Ye Olde Brit Chimney Sweep fixes smelly chimney issues in San Bernardino CA and surrounding areas, Beaumont CA, and Riverside CA, as well as Eastvale CA, Angelus Oaks CA, Calimesa CA, Cherry Valley CA, Yucaipa CA, Alta Loma CA, Lake Elsinore CA, Menifee CA, and more.
What Makes a Chimney Smell?
There are three main reasons why a chimney develops an odor problem:
- Water getting into the chimney
- Animals and nesting materials
- Creosote buildup
Many times these symptoms can be remedied. Here’s how.
Chimney Leaks
Rainwater can enter a chimney system in a variety of ways and cause a musty, damp odor that spreads through your home. Water gets into chimneys in the following ways:
- compromises in the bricks and mortar
- a damaged or missing chimney cap at the top of the chimney
- a cracked chimney crown
- warped, rusted or missing chimney flashing
If you’re experiencing a smelly chimney in your San Bernardino-area home and incoming water and moisture are the reason, we can resolve the problem. We’ll make the necessary repairs or, in the case of a missing chimney cap or flashing, install these components.
Animals in the Chimney
Squirrels, birds, bats, raccoons, rodents and other wildlife enjoy using chimneys for shelters and birthing grounds. Animals can give off odors under normal circumstances. Certain types of animals die inside chimneys, and the resulting odor is much worse.
Additionally, the nesting materials left behind may create their own odors, particularly when they become damp from a chimney leak or from the normal moisture created during fireplace use.
The solution here is a thorough chimney cleaning. If animals are getting in, it means there’s no proper chimney cap protecting the flue. We recommend to all our customers that they have us install a custom chimney cap, or at the very least a flue cover.
Excess Creosote
A third common cause of a smelly chimney is a creosote buildup inside the flue. Creosote is a smoke byproduct that forms every time you use a wood-burning fireplace.
Mixed with large amounts of soot, creosote in the flue can cause overpowering smoky odors. The situation is worsened if water is somehow getting into the chimney, mixing with creosote.
As with small-animal nests and the bodies of deceased animals, the solution to excess creosote is professional chimney cleaning. This should be done once a year.
Note: While creosote can cause a smelly chimney, it can also cause a chimney fire. In fact, most chimney fires in and around San Bernardino each year are caused by ignited creosote.
Solve Your Smelly Chimney Problems Now!
You don’t have to live with a chimney that sends unpleasant odors into your home. The chimney experts at Ye Olde Brit are here to help year-round with the right solutions for smelly chimneys.
Speak with an experienced technician today by calling (909) 880-2120. You can also reach out through our website’s simple contact form.