Just when you think it is time to forget about your chimney for a few months, you start noticing unpleasant odors coming from it through your fireplace into your home. Unfortunately, smelly chimneys are quite common in the summer. Over our years of working on chimneys in the Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Chimney Services is accustomed to getting calls from our customers asking us why their chimneys are so stinky. We know exactly what causes chimney odors, and we also know how to get rid of those causes and make your home smell fresh and clean again. Here are some of the most common culprits behind smelly chimneys and how we can get rid of these stinky issues.
Creosote
You may already know that creosote is so highly flammable that the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has named it as a leading cause of chimney fires. Not only is this residue dangerous, but it is also very stinky, and the heat and humidity of summer can worsen its strong, acrid odor. Creosote forms naturally during the combustion process of burning wood, and after a long winter, you could have quite a bit of creosote accumulated on the inner walls of your chimney. Blue Ridge Chimney Services can prevent your chimney from becoming a fire hazard and keep your home smelling sweet by sweeping your chimney in the spring or summer. We will be sure to remove every piece of creosote to keep your chimney safe and clean.
Water
One way to tell if you have water leaks in your chimney is when a musty odor invades your home. Water can leak into your chimney in different ways, and Blue Ridge Chimney Services knows how to keep water out of it. Not only does moisture in the chimney cause an unpleasant smell, but it can also create extensive and expensive damage. We provide chimney cap sales and professional installation services as well as customized flashing construction and repair services. We can also find and repair any leaks you may have to keep your chimney working safely and efficiently.
Wild Animals
Sometimes birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other wild animals mistake chimneys for trees and build nests inside them. This could lead to a critter getting stuck inside your chimney, which could be a very smelly situation. Not only can the odor of the animal’s waste be unpleasant, but the smell of a decomposing animal is even worse. Blue Ridge Chimney Services can keep this situation from ever occurring by installing a chimney cap with metal mesh sides on the top of your chimney. These sides make it impossible for any critter to get inside your chimney at all.
Keep your home smelling fresh and clean this summer. Contact us at Blue Ridge Chimney Services today to schedule an appointment for your annual professional chimney maintenance services.