If you have a wood-burning stove, fireplace, or older chimney, it may start to smell and let a strong odor into your home. If you are experiencing chimney odors and can not determine the cause, contact our professional cleaners at Sierra Vista Maintenace. We help perform quality chimney cleaning and other cleanings in your home. Our technicians can help you understand how to maintain your chimney and eliminate chimney odors.
1- Negative Air Pressure
One of the most common reasons for chimney odors is changing air pressure or lack of ventilation. This usually occurs during the summer months and can be remedied by improving ventilation in your home, opening some windows during the day, improving your roof, or keeping your damper closed when your fireplace isn’t being used.
Odors that may occur in your chimney can escape back into your home when there is no out. Preventing blocks in your chimney can help ventilate your home and keep harmful gases out of your home.
2- Moisture Or Damp Items
Rainwater, snow, damp leaves, or other debris that becomes trapped in your chimney will cause a musty smell in your home. The cause of this may be linked back to your chimney cap and can easily be replaced to prevent this chimney odor from coming back.
Sierra Vista Maintenance can clean your chimney from moisture or mold growth and then replace the damaged chimney cap to prevent more moisture from entering. The longer you push off moisture removal, the more damage your chimney parts will experience, which can make repairing them costly.
3- Dead Animals In Your Chimney
The mesh covering for your chimney may not prevent all animals or critters from getting into the opening. Birds, squirrels, mice, or other small critters could die inside your chimney and leading to strong chimney odors. Dealing with wild animals without help is extremely dangerous, so hiring a professional will keep you from disease or injury.
If you have birds circling or using your chimney as a temporary living place, ensure that they are not protected from killing. Make sure your chimney has a proper cap and your roof is inspected and clean each spring to prevent this problem from reoccurring.
4- Bad Seals Or Caps
Wood-burning stoves have doors and seals that can go bad. If a seal or door to your fireplace is not properly sealed, the odors that come with fire or burning wood can fill your home. Repairing seals will prevent smoke, soot, and chimney odors from spreading into your home. Not only will seals help prevent odors, but they will also prevent illness that can come from soot or smoke inhalation.
5- Sooty Creosote
Many chimneys are made with porous materials which can hold onto the smoke or fire smell. During warmer months, you may start to smell leftover smell from fires during the winter as the creosote particles downdraft back into your home.
Some chimneys, especially those in older homes, may never get rid of these reoccurring smells, despite chimney cleaning. Replacing your flue liner with a steel flue liner may help keep chimney odors at bay.
Professional Chimney Sweep Services
Hiring our professionals at Sierra Vista Maintenance will give you an efficient cleaning every time. We protect your home with protective tarps and attention to detail so that after our services you can get back to living in your home like normal.
Our chimney sweeps want your home to stay warm and safe. Hiring a chimney sweep will help your home stay clean and safe during all months of the year. Our services can be completed in a short period of time and help you get back to your normal routine quickly. Contact our team through our website or by phone to improve your home today!