Here at ELB, we’ve been in the fireplace industry for over 30 years, so we’re pretty much experts at this point. We’ve been asked many questions over the years, with one of the most common being “My fireplace smells in the summer: why is this?”
Why does my fireplace smell in the summer?
The smell you’re referring to is most likely due to creosote deposits that have stacked up within your chimney. This is a natural byproduct of burning wood, and is usually more noticeable during the summer months when the humidity is high and the air conditioning circulates the smell around the room, thus giving you a smelly fireplace.
Getting your chimney professionally cleaned is a good place to start. However, it’s worth remembering that this will not necessarily get rid of the smell completely, especially if you’ve not had your chimney cleaned in a while.
What is creosote?
Creosote is a highly flammable substance that builds up in chimneys that haven’t been cleaned properly in a while. This substance can easily ignite if you have a particularly hot fire, and can burn at temperatures of up to 2000°C – meaning that a potentially dangerous chimney fire is on the cards if this happens.
If your chimney catches fire, it’s essential that you call 999 and get a fire brigade round to your house, as burning embers from the chimney may spit out and ignite the wood that frames your home.
Home remedies to get rid of that chimney smell
Lots of people have had success in getting rid of the smell by putting baking soda in the fireplace. However, we find that installing a top mounted damper will reduce the airflow that goes down your chimney, thus stopping the smell from entering your home as strongly.
For more fireplace and chimney questions, please visit our blog. Do you have a specific question about your fireplace, stove or chimney? Contact us today and a member of our friendly team will be delighted to help with your query.
