As the weather becomes more humid over the summer, you may start to notice unpleasant odors coming from your fireplace through the chimney. Warmer temperatures tend to stir up certain chimney odor sources, and your air conditioner could be causing a draft problem in your chimney that makes it easy for stinky smells to enter your home. Our staff at Aelite Chimney Specialties has over 15 years of experience in dealing with bad chimney odors. We can identify the source and provide a solution that prevents smelly chimneys. We would like to tell you more about chimney odor sources, how we can stop them, and what you can do yourself to keep your home smelling its greatest this summer.
What causes my chimney to stink?
While several things can be the source of chimney odors, creosote and soot are the most common causes. After a long and cold winter, a lot of residue from these byproducts of combustion will be stuck to the walls of your chimney. The heat and humidity of summer will make the scent of creosote and soot even stronger. The odor can be compared to asphalt or bad barbecue. Another thing that could be stinking up the air in your chimney is water. Any water that has leaked into your chimney will give off an unpleasant musty odor. The worst-case scenario for a chimney odor is a dead bird, squirrel, or other wild animal inside the chimney.
How can Aelite Chimney Specialties prevent these stinky smells from invading my home?
We strongly recommend scheduling your annual professional chimney sweeping and inspection with us in the spring or summer to make sure all of the creosote and soot have been removed from your chimney. To prevent water leaks and wild animal invasions, we can help you select a chimney cap and professionally install it on top of your chimney. Both of these important chimney maintenance services will also keep your chimney working safely and efficiently.
What can I do to freshen up the smell in my home?
The smell of fireplace ash can linger, and SFGate advises a thorough spring cleaning of your fireplace and the room it is in after you have put out the last fire of the year.
Keep your home smelling sweet this summer! Contact us at Aelite Chimney Specialties today to schedule an appointment for our professional chimney sweeping and inspection services.