Every summer, The Mad Hatter receives calls from customers complaining about unpleasant odors coming from their chimneys through their fireplaces. Several things can create stinky smells, and the heat and humidity in the summer can make these odors even worse. Now that spring has arrived, you may be starting to notice that your fireplace stinks. We would like to tell you why bad smells are coming from your fireplace and how we can help you prevent these odors from invading your home
CREOSOTE
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), one of the main causes of unpleasant chimney odors is creosote, a natural compound that result as part of the combustion process of burning wood. Creosote has a strong, acrid scent that worsens in the summer due to humidity and use of your air conditioner. The Mad Hatter can help you to prevent this smelly issue by professionally sweeping your chimney in the spring to remove all of the creosote deposits that have accumulated on the walls of your chimney. Not only does this maintenance service reduce your risk of stinky odors invading your home in the summer, but it also lowers your chances of experiencing a chimney fire, as creosote is the number one cause of these fires.
WATER AND LEAVES
If your chimney is uncapped, you most likely have standing water on your smoke shelf. Without a chimney cap on top of your chimney, leaves and other debris can also easily fall into your chimney. If you are noticing a musty odor in your home, the source of the smell is water in your chimney. When leaves mix into the water, it creates a rotting, decomposing odor. The Mad Hatter can clean out the water and leaves and install a new chimney cap on top of your chimney to keep these things out of your flue.
BIRDS AND ANIMALS
Another problem that can occur if you do not have a chimney cap on top of your chimney is birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other wild animals nesting inside your flue. Wild animals in your chimney not only poses a high risk for chimney damage, but they also can be very smelly. Their droppings can create very unpleasant odors, and, even worse, a bird or animal can become trapped inside your chimney and die, which will lead to a horrific odor problem. To keep birds and wild animals out of your chimney, The Mad Hatter can install a new chimney cap that is equipped with mesh metal sides that will prevent these critters from getting into your chimney.
Keep your home smelling pleasant this summer. Contact us at The Mad Hatter today to schedule your appointment for a professional chimney sweeping and inspection.