I have a smelly fireplace. What should I do?

Fixing fireplace smells in Warwick RI

A healthy fireplace reminds you of Christmas. A smelly fireplace spells trouble. Though many people believe that a small amount of smoke is not bad for you, it is actually a sign of an inefficient and unhealthy fireplace. There are solutions to remove the odor or make the air cleaner, but it's best to consult with a professional before making any changes on your own. A smelly fireplace can spell trouble because it will constantly emit a foul odor into the room. The smell may not only be bothering you but also anyone else who enters the room. Therefore, you should try to identify the source of the smell and do whatever is necessary to eliminate it.

Rhode Island Fireplace Cleaning

Look For Debris & Animals

Look for debris, animal waste, and other odors inside the fireplace. Make sure none of these products are near where your firewood is stored. You should also have a screen in place to prevent small animals from getting in the fireplace. Regularly clean the chimney to remove the buildup of soot, creosote, and other residues that could be causing the odor. You should clean your fireplace out to remove any debris, animal hair, and other things. Before you start looking for ways to get rid of the smell, you need to determine what caused it in the first place. If your problem is an animal infestation, you'll need to hire a professional like Elite Chimney Solutions to help you with that issue.

Installing A Rain Cap Could Stop Your Chimney From Smelling

A rain cap is a removable chimney top that seals the opening. This way, all of the smoke and other unwanted things that come up through your chimney will be diverted to the outside. If you're experiencing chimney odor problems, one potential solution would be to install a rain cap on your fireplace. This will keep moisture from entering your chimneys. It's also possible that the fireplace has an opening in the top so water can pour down onto the chimney. If this is the case, you should schedule a chimney inspection with our professional chimney specialists at Elite Chimney Solutions.

Negative Air Pressure & Smelly Chimneys

Some people think that a smelly fireplace is just a fact of life. If you're not used to it and it's driving you and your family crazy, there are some things you can do. First, make sure that the flue is open so that all the smoke can be vented out. The best way to do this is to use a flue brush and vacuum attachment to remove as much soot as possible from the flue area. This may require more than one attempt depending on how long the fireplace has been unused. Also, be aware that if there's a problem with negative air pressure in the home, then this could also be causing a smoky odor coming from the fireplace even though it's clean. This is a telltale sign that it's time to call the professionals at Elite Chimney Solutions.

How To Repair Negative Air Pressure In Your Chimney

The fireplace is not the only thing that can cause negative air pressure. Dirty air filters and furnaces that always remain on without any heating or cooling will cause a vacuum and draw in smoky, musty air from outside. This type of negative air pressure exacerbates the problem by pulling more air up the chimney and into your living space. You need to install an exhaust system that vents back outside to remove this problem. If you're like most people and have a fireplace, be sure to check and repair negative air pressure in your chimney. When the heating season is over and we turn off our fireplace, it can lead to an accumulation of leaves and other debris in the flue. This blocks the airflow that carries the smoke up the chimney and out of the house. This blockage will cause a chimney fire which can result in serious damage to your home.

Call A Professional Like Elite Chimney Solutions In RI

It would be wise to have a professional chimney cleaning service like Elite Chimney Solutions come and inspect your chimney. If they find a problem, there's a good chance they'll provide a solution or at least an estimate of how much it might cost. They may recommend against using the fireplace for a while to prevent further drafts from entering the home. Or, they may install an insulated damper to decrease the amount of air as it enters the chimney cone. If you have a smelly fireplace, it's likely because your chimney is drafty. This could be because your damper isn't working properly or your chimney cap has come off. If there are cracks in the mortar, the draft will only get worse. Call us today at (844) 354-8385