Does your chimney smell bad? During the winter, we all want our fireplaces to be warm and cozy gathering places. The last thing that anyone wants is to smell a bad odor when gathering around their fireplace. Today, we’ll explore reasons that chimneys begin to smell during the winter and solutions.

Boston’s Best Chimney is a full-service chimney company serving the Greater Boston area. If you need your chimney inspected, cleaned, or serviced, click here or call (781) 893-6611 to get in touch with us.

Causes of Chimney Smells During the Winter

Though many chimney smell issues arise during the summer, there are some issues that are as common or even more common in the winter.

During the winter, there is an abundance of precipitation due to snow and rain. Often, snow will mix with the creosote that is in your chimney, which will create an odor. Creosote consists mostly of tar and is a byproduct of wood combustion. We recommend having your chimney cleaned at least once a year to remove creosote, which can also cause safety issues. Getting your chimney cleaned annually will help prevent odors during the winter.

Another common cause of chimney odors during the winter is negative air pressure.  Negative pressure is such a common problem and is becoming more difficult to solve as our homes become more energy efficient.  Negative pressure in a fireplace occurs when the home doesn’t have sufficient air within the space and therefore draws it down the fireplace flue.  Unless your chimney has never been used, it will also pull down odor from the residue inside.  We now also have other mechanical influences to contend with.  A big fancy kitchen range hood sounds like a great idea, but you might be in for a smokey surprise if you run it when you’re having a fire.  This also happens to fireplaces that may never have had an issue with draft before.  It’s usually a combination of upgrades throughout the home that can contribute to a reverse draft. Luckily, there are solutions available for those who experience this pesky problem.

Finally, if your chimney is smelling during the winter, it may be due to critters being inside of your chimney. As animals search for places to hibernate during the winter, many will find shelter in open chimneys. You may also be smelling dead animals that entered your chimney during the fall or summer. Chimney caps are also helpful in preventing animals from entering your chimney. If you suspect that there are already animals in your chimney, contact Boston’s Best Chimney. We will be happy to address this issue for you.

This winter we will all be spending more time at home than ever. Our goal is for you to be able to enjoy using your fireplace. If your fireplace smells, or if you have any other chimney concerns, do not hesitate to contact us. With over thirty years of experience, we are committed to excellence and personalized service. Click here or call (781) 893-6611 to contact us about your chimney needs.