We Fix Smelly Chimneys

You're not alone if you notice a musty or unpleasant odor around the fireplace. A smelly chimney is one of the most common problems we hear from folks around the Washington, DC, area. It often catches a lot of people by surprise.

The Certified Chimney Professionals at Bethesda Chimney fix smelly chimneys for residential, commercial, and government buildings in Montgomery County, MD, Northern, VA, and Washington, DC.

Why Does My Chimney Smell?

The chimney will start to smell when it hasn't been cleaned in a while or if there is too much moisture in the chimney. In addition, the air conditioning system often may draw air into the home from the top of the chimney, making the problem worse. Here are a few other reasons why your chimney may have an unpleasant smell:

Creosote Accumulation

Without periodic chimney sweeping, the buildup of creosote, soot, and debris can cause your chimney to have a foul odor. The smell may be more pronounced when there is excessive moisture or condensation in the flue due to a leaky chimney or cracked flue. However, a foul odor is the least of your concern when it comes to creosote buildup. The real danger is the increased chimney fire risk because creosote is a flammable, volatile organic compound (VOC).

Cracked Flue Liner

In addition to protecting the masonry from the fire burning in the fireplace, the flue liner also helps keep out moisture. However, masonry damage, corrosive gas residue, and water leaks can cause clay tiles to crack. This reduces heating efficiency, increases health and safety risks, and makes your chimney smell bad.

Animal Nests

Kensington, MD, Bethesda, MD, and Washington, DC are home to many small birds, bats, raccoons, and other critters who love hanging out in chimneys. Once these critters reside in the flue, they build nests and forage food. Sometimes these tiny animals in the chimney become disoriented or trapped and perish. The decaying organic matter has an awful pungent odor. It can also attract other pests like cockroaches, mice, and rats.

How to Prevent a Smelly Chimney

Annual chimney inspections and professional cleaning by a Certified Chimney Sweep® is the best way to prevent a smelly chimney. It will also improve energy efficiency, help prevent a chimney fire, minimize repairs, and prolong the lifespan of your chimney and fireplace.

We Can Fix Your Smelly Chimney

Bethesda Chimney’s certified chimney sweeps are highly skilled professionals that provide outstanding repairs and customer service. We fix smelly chimneys for residential, commercial, and government buildings in Rockville, MD, Manassas, VA, Potomac, MD, Olney, MD, Springfield, VA, Montgomery Village, MD, and nearby towns in Montgomery County, MD, Washington DC, and Northern VA. Call 301-969-4444 or 703-935-4444 to schedule an appointment today!