Though there’s nothing as comforting as a warm fire on a cool evening, there are several issues that can arise from having a fireplace or woodstove and chimney in your home. One of those issues that can sometimes arise is smell. Chimneys bridge the gap between your home’s interior and exterior, and as such, may sometimes have a scent that you’re not happy about. Here’s what you can do about that fireplace smell and chimney odors in your Nashville home.
What’s that Smell? How to Treat Odd Chimney Odors
When it comes to chimney odors, there are three potential sources:
Creosote: Creosote is a tar-like compound that forms when wood is burned, either in a fireplace or wood stove. More prevalent in softwoods and wet wood, due to their lower burning temperature, creosote can have a scent that some find distasteful, but is easy to clean out with a standard chimney cleaning in most situations. Burn only well-seasoned hardwood firewood and make sure to warm your flue before starting the fire to reduce creosote buildup.
Moisture: Whether due to cracks in the chimney’s masonry or a missing chimney cap, water can enter your chimney system, pooling in the fireplace or woodstove. This can also lead to mold and mildew smells, in addition to rust stains from the exposure of metal to moisture. To reduce or remove this odor, you’ll want to have chimney repairs made to address the cause of the issue.
Animal: Unfortunately, there are many small animals that think your chimney looks like a wonderful place to hang out when it’s not in use and may make a nest or even expire in that location. This is a more frequent problem in chimneys that have lost their cap, which includes a screen to keep animals out. A thorough cleaning and repairs can help fix this odiferous issue.
By knowing the potential causes of fireplace smells and chimney odors in your Nashville home, you can better respond to the situation and fix the problem at hand. If you need help a chimney odor treatment in your Nashville home, the experienced chimney professionals at Allegiance Chimney are happy to help. With a quick but thorough inspection and a solid cleaning, we’ll have your chimney up and running in no time, just contact us today to get started!
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