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On The Level: Your breathing house is what makes your fireplace smell. Our fireplace smells after it rains. Your house is breathing air down the fireplace flue and you probably notice it more after a rain — especially a warm spring or summer rain — because the air migrating into the house via the chimney is humid.
How do I stop my fireplace from smelling?
How To Extinguish Fireplace Odors Clean and Repair the Chimney. Prevent odors from forming altogether by keeping your fireplace and chimney clean. Use Fireplace Deodorant. Deodorize with Vinegar. Absorb the Smell with Charcoal. Run an Air Purifier. Have Your Fireplace Inspected. Call Molly Maid for Help.
Why does my fireplace smell sometimes?
Foul odor near the hearth is often a result of soot/creosote build-up, animal obstructions, moisture entering the flue, or airflow problems inside the home. In this post, we discuss various household reasons for the stench in your fire-burning chimney system.
How do I stop my fireplace from smelling in the summer?
Spray the inside of the fireplace with a 1:1 blend of vinegar and water. For extra protection, set a few open bowls of vinegar around the room to freshen the atmosphere. Alternatively, place a bucket of charcoal or kitty litter in the fireplace to absorb the odor. Commercial fireplace deodorizers are also available.
Why does my chimney smell damp?
A damp smell. Musty, damp odors also commonly eschew from chimneys. Whether it’s due to a missing chimney cap, a crack in the chimney, damaged flashing or simply water being absorbed by the masonry materials, mold and mildew can form in the chimney, causing this unpleasant odor.
Is a fireplace supposed to smell?
All fireplaces have some type of odor, but a normal working fireplace will send the smell up and out of the chimney with the draft before it seeps into the home. If you have a smell coming in from your fireplace, it means that air from the outside is being sucked into the room.
How do you get creosote smell out of fireplace?
If you’re dealing with foul odors in your fireplace, give it a clean and vacuum, and then sprinkle two packages of baking soda on the fireplace floor and walls. A decent coat of baking soda will do a lot to suck up odors.
Why does my wood fire smell?
Soot and creosote can build up on the inside of the chimney or flue and leave a lingering smell coming your fireplace or stove. The excess moisture that is burnt off from wet wood can also line the insides of your chimney or flue and cause a musty smell.
What does a chimney fire smell like?
Chimney fires can be fast-burning or slow-burning. Flames or things that are on fire (pieces of flaming creosote) coming from the top of the chimney. A strong, intensely hot smell. A roaring sound, often described as being like a freight train or airplane.
What does an electrical fire smell like?
Electrical fires tend to smell like burning plastic, so they have a telltale acrid odor. Others say the scent is reminiscent of fish. That said, electrical fires don’t always produce an odor. In that case, you’d have to listen for a buzzing sound or check for a brown outlet cover.
Does a dirty chimney smell?
Even with the fireplace doors and damper closed, a dirty chimney can take over your living space with overwhelming smoky and barbecue smells. Odors of smoke and barbecue are actually caused by a chimney and fireplace that is filled with soot and creosote.
How do you get rid of creosote smell?
Sprinkle baking soda over the affected piece of furniture or carpet. Let the baking soda sit for at least two hours. The baking soda will absorb the creosote smell from the item. Vacuum up the baking soda. Repeat the process if the smell remains.
Why does my fireplace smell like smoke when there is no fire?
A: The odor is from creosote. Your chimney may need cleaning. The result is that makeup air is pulled down the chimney, which is a big, unrestricted hole in the house. If that happens when you have a fire going, smoke will fill the room.
Why does my fireplace smell like burning plastic?
This type of odor may occur any time of year with a newly installed unit. Like other devices made in a factory, gas fireplaces often have lubricants, paints, and other manufacturing processes that leave debris in the passageway, which will produce a stink sometimes described as burning plastic.
How long does fireplace smell last?
For two or three days after it has been used, it emits a strong “smoky smell.” The fireplace has glass doors that we keep closed (before, during and after burning), and we remove all the ashes from the firebox after burning. We have not been able to correlate the problem to outside air pressure or outside temperature.
Can you get carbon monoxide from a fireplace?
Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. An improperly maintained or ventilated gas fireplace can create incomplete combustion, creating carbon monoxide, and causing this toxic gas to linger—putting those inside at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Should you be able to smell a wood burning fireplace?
Wood-burning fireplace chimneys smell smoky whether they’ve just been swept or not, because no matter how thoroughly the flue is swept, every trace of soot and soaked-in creosote cannot possibly be removed. Truth is, not every fireplace makes a house smell bad.
