Say Goodbye To Smoke & Odor Problems With Alpine Chimney Sweeps

A smoky, stinky fireplace can make it hard to enjoy your time by the fireside, but Alpine Chimney Sweeps can help. We specialize in smoke and odor investigation and resolution, and we can promptly and professionally evaluate your situation, pinpoint the source of the issue, and provide you with a solution that works. First, let’s talk smoke.

There are some smoke issues that are easily fixable. For example, it may be that your flue isn’t warm enough, and you may simply need to prep it by holding a lit newspaper up into the flue before you start a fire in your fireplace. Or, you may simply need to open the damper. But if neither solution eliminates your smoke problems, the problem may be one or more of the following:

Broken damper — Prior to lighting a fire in your fireplace, naturally, you open the damper. But if your damper is rusted into place, broken, or simply won’t open, the smoke produced by the fire won’t be able to enter the flue and exit the chimney. Instead, it’ll come wafting back into your living space. If the damper is to blame for your smoke problems, our team can install a top-sealing damper, which is better and more efficient than a throat damper, and will make it easy for you to enjoy a smoke-free fireside experience.
Chimney height/poor draft/chimney design issues — In order to achieve efficient draft and effectively pull smoke up into the chimney and out of the home, the chimney system must be properly designed and there must be adequate make-up air within the home. If the chimney isn’t tall enough, the smoke chamber is damaged or poorly designed, or if there is some other design flaw or air pressure problem, smoke will make its way back into your home. Depending on the situation, we may suggest extending or rebuilding the chimney, repairing the smoke chamber, or installing a fan cap or draft-inducing cap at the top of the chimney.
Flue size/fireplace size issues — If the flue and fireplace opening are not correctly proportionate, smoke will be a problem. In these instances, we may suggest a new chimney liner, a smoke guard, or the installation of a new appliance as a solution.
Flue blockages — Some smoke problems are caused by a blockage within the flue that’s preventing smoke from escaping. If this is the source of your smoke problems, a good chimney sweeping should do the trick.
Burning unseasoned wood — If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, it’s possible your smoke problems are simply caused by the type of wood you’re burning. Unseasoned or green wood naturally contains more moisture than wood that is properly seasoned, and that moisture will lead to the production of more smoke. Our chimney professionals will talk with you about the type of wood you’re burning, and if that’s the source of your problems, we’ll let you know what to look for and what to do to make sure your wood is properly seasoned.

Now, let’s talk about odor issues. Most chimney and fireplace odors can be traced back to one of the following:

Animals/birds in the chimney — Animals, birds, and other pests can bring unpleasant odors when they choose to nest inside of your chimney. But in some instances, critters can actually get stuck inside of the chimney and die there, which can lead to even more unpleasant smells. If you suspect you have or have had animals, birds, insects, or other pests in your chimney, give us a call. We specialize in pest removal and chimney sanitizing, and can get rid of the odor and the problem. We can also install a quality chimney cap to prevent you from having the same problem in the future.
Creosote in the chimney — If your odor issues are worse in the spring and summer, creosote is likely the cause. Creosote is a byproduct of wood burning that can stick to and settle on the flue walls. When you add the heat of summer to the equation, the smell gets worse. This substance is highly flammable, highly corrosive, and highly dangerous, so even if odor isn’t an issue, your chimney should be swept after each burn season to ensure that all creosote is promptly removed.
Moisture/chimney leak — One of the most common causes of chimney odors is moisture. If you have a chimney leak, that moisture can cause mildew and fungus growth inside your chimney and fireplace, which could explain the musty, damp odor you’re smelling. The best thing to do in this situation is to have one of our experienced chimney leak experts inspect your system, pinpoint the leak, and promptly make the necessary repairs.

You don’t have to live with a stinky, smoky chimney — let Alpine Chimney Sweeps help. We’ll locate the source of the problem and provide you with an effective and affordable solution. Call or fill out our online appointment request form to schedule your smoke and odor resolution appointment today!

Our chimney and fireplace services include every kind of chimney and fireplace repairs, so give us a call today.