Month: February 2025

Have you noticed that odor in the fireplace sometimes smells similar to the residue of fireworks? Every New Years Eve across the world, and Fourth of July in the US, fireworks explode into a concoction of bright, beautiful colors of various shapes and movements. After the celebrations, the smoke from the sky sinks into the streets, giving the appearance of a smokey, foggy night. As the night progresses, the smell of old fireworks wafted into my nose. The first thought I had was how it smelled. The fireplace smells like fireworks! Not a pleasant smell.

Why is your Fireplace Stinking Up the House?

If you’ve lit your fireplace and suddenly, your fireplace smells like fireworks, it could be problematic. What do you think the cause is? At Superior Chimney, we’ve heard many theories or reasons for the smell. From Mom overcooked dinner, it’s a smell from the outside, bad/old wood, or an improper fireplace structure, any theory seems plausible when it comes to an odor in the fireplace.

Poor Ventilation Can Cause an Odor in the Fireplace

A blocked or improperly functioning flue can cause air flow in the wrong direction. As warm air goes up and out, cool air drops down. That cool air may be in larger amounts depending on the structure of the chimney. Poor ventilation causes a buildup of gasses and soot. Both can be dangerous to you and your family.

Dirty Fireplace or Chimney

Over time, dust, soot, creosote, ash and debris accumulate in the chimney and fireplace. Even if you don’t use the chimney often or at all, these small particles still build up. When the fireplace is lit, these particles can ignite, which can be dangerous, and also develop an odor in the fireplace. If you have a wood burning fireplace, creosote, a product of combustion, forms on the sides of the chimney that leads up to the termination. This substance accumulates, or builds upon itself, and when it gets wet or reacts with moisture, creosote gives off a horrible, smoky odor.

Can Odors Be Prevented?

Yes, of course you can prevent odor in the fireplace. The first thing you’ll want to do is hire a certified professional chimney sweep like Superior Chimney. A certified chimney sweep technician will conduct a 14-point inspection on your chimney as the technician sweeps the system. This might involve removing creosote and dust from places that are very hard to reach.

Keeping your home ventilated and maintaining proper airflow will help remove odors, too. Every fireplace could have a faint odor to it, even if perfectly built and swept. Keeping that downdraft to a minimum will help reduce the fireplace odors. And finally, check out the top of your chimney. Are you missing a chimney cap, or your cap is damaged or falling off? It’s a simple, yet effective way to prevent moisture and animals from getting inside your chimney and ultimately your house. Our certified technicians will automatically check several points on the exterior, and the chimney cap is just one aspect.

Time to Get Rid of that Smell! Odor in the fireplace can be frustrating. With consistent annual maintenance and repairs, it is possible to enjoy a clean scent coming from the fireplace! To start with your chimney inspection and sweep, contact a chimney professional from Superior Chimney today at 877-244-6349. And get of the fireplace smells like fireworks.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

Around the start of the year, most homeowners in the Chicagoland area start thinking about sweeping out the fireplace. Why does this happen? Well, we had the holidays, maybe a couple of birthdays and then we are all exhausted. As January progressed and we began to recover, many began to say, “Sweeping the fireplace can be done in the Spring.” Then smelly stuff comes out of the fireplace or maybe even a leak. Ugh.

Have you gotten around to sweeping the fireplace yet? Now that January is ending, let’s look at 2024’s most popular articles. Maybe it can be inspirational or a late entry for the New Year resolution.

Chimney Leaks

Each Season brings a ‘special’ kind of chimney leak, especially Winter with the freeze & thaw cycle. This is an important part of sweeping the fireplace, as monitoring for chimney leaks is very important. If you notice any of these signs, we recommend contacting Superior Chimney as soon as possible. This means there is a good chance that you have a chimney leak. Here are a few ways to identify a chimney leak, then review the article from June.
A pool or drips of water near the fireplace

1. Dampness in your home
2. Dripping sound of water
3. A musty odor coming from the chimney
4. A stain on the wall or ceiling

Drafts

We know that in any season, drafts can happen. Sweeping out the fireplace includes taking care of any persisting cold or musty air drafts. If you are noticing cold air coming from your chimney, you may have a draft problem. Drafts make you feel cold inside your room, even if the furnace is on! Usually, negative air pressure causes drafts, and so do obstructions. To prevent unwanted drafts, you might have to replace or buy a chimney cap, but usually a Superior Chimney professional will determine the cause. Let’s review the article from February.

Removing Debris and Creosote

Removing debris and creosote from wood burning fireplaces is crucial to your chimney’s health. Debris that obstructs the flow of smoke out from your chimney means that it will back up and enter your home where your family is living. In addition, creosote can be extremely flammable and cause a fire in the home. It is also common that debris and leaves fall down the chimney, sparks can fly up past the firebox. When lighting up your fireplace, it is important to keep safe and call Superior Chimney to get started on sweeping the fireplace. Review the November article.

Chimney Odors

Chimney odors is a common occurrence and is a sure sign you need to get your chimney swept! Chimney odors come from humid air during the various times of the year. One of the downfalls of humidity is the development of mold. Mold does have an odor as well as creosote. Both exude a smokey, burning smell. Without sweeping the chimney, you might experience a nasty chimney odor which a technician can safely diagnose. Refresh yourself on the February article.

Calling A Chimney Professional, Superior Chimney! If you notice any signs of chimney damage discussed above, give Superior Chimney a call at 877-244-6449. A Nationally Certified chimney professional will go through a 14-point chimney inspection of your chimney system. We will check the exterior and interior to ensure all is in working order before you light up your chimney again. If you haven’t registered for your annual chimney sweep, now’s the time. The Chimney Safety Institute says to have your chimney swept at least once a year. A Superior chimney professional will help you through this process. Sweeping out the fireplace means call us at 877-244-6349.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net