Fireplace smells come from creosote deposits in your chimney, which is a natural byproduct of burning wood. Chimney odors are usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high, on rainy days, and when the air conditioning is running. Having your chimney swept may help minimize your fireplace smell but will not solve your problem.
Creosote particles absorb into the porous masonry construction inside your chimney, embedding the fireplace smell beyond the masonry's surface (similar to the way the inside of your firebox is stained black with use). A chimney sweeping will remove the surface buildup of creosote to help prevent an ignition (chimney fire), but the chimney odors remain absorbed into the masonry surface causing fireplace smells.
The real problem is air coming down the chimney, which is a symptom of overall pressure problems. As air moves down through your chimney, it brings the inner fireplace smells & chimney odors along with it. It is likely that your chimney is just the victim of a negative pressure problem. Basement fireplaces are the biggest culprit because the lowest level of your home has the highest levels of negative pressure. The basic concept is that the more air-tight your home, the less air exchange (or make up air) can enter your home. Older, draftier homes do not experience these problems as much because air is entering from many other places. Once these areas are sealed, the path of least resistance is the chimney and its metal-on-metal damper, which may or may not be closed all the way.
To fix the problem (negative pressure) or manage the symptom (cold air from fireplace) you have two options. To completely solve the problem of negative pressure in the home you have to equalize it by bringing outside air into the home through your HVAC system. Contact your heating and air conditioning contractor and they can install a system to achieve this goal for around $2,500.00. If you want to manage the symptom by stopping the air from entering the chimney from the top, a Lock Top ll top sealing damper can be installed for around $529.00 on average
Every home presents unique challenges, and our technicians have been solving these problems for our customers since 1978. We have an excellent track record. See our rating on Angie's List where we are ranked #1, or on the Better Business Bureau website where we maintain an A+ rating.
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This a diagram shows how most homes are in a "negative air pressure" state |
