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On warmer days and rainy days, we have a strong smoke burnt smell from the fireplace insert.

On warmer days and rainy days, we have a strong smoke burnt smell from the fireplace insert.

by | May 17, 2019 | Chimney Problems, Fireplaces

Q: Jason, On warmer winter days and rainy days, we have a strong smoke smell in the house. We have a fireplace insert. Would the Chimney Balloon help with this problem?- SQ

A: Dear SQ, The first thing you can do to cut down on smoke smell during the humid days is first to clean the ash out of the fireplace insert with a shop vac. Humidity has a bad habit of making soot, creosote, and ash to smell stronger.

Some people are under the misconception that a chimney sweeping or cleaning will remove this burnt smell, and I have not found that to be the case. Chimney sweeping is good and should be done regularly, but the brushing action often stirs up the creosote and ash in the flue making it stronger smelling for a while.

The next step is to separate your flue from the house by sealing it off. A Chimney Balloon will work to stop the smelly fireplace stink if you can access the chimney flue opening. Some inserts have metal baffles in the firebox that prevent access to the chimney flue from the firebox. However, there should be a way to access your flue since a chimney sweep has to do this in order to sweep the chimney and then get the ash he brushed off out. You may want to ask your sweep how he accesses your lower flue to remove the ash he brushes off the flue wall. There may be an ash clean-out or removable portion of your flue pipe that you are unaware of. If you can touch the inside of the flue or damper opening area then you can install the Chimney Balloon and it will seal off the chimney low and tight and will not allow the creosote buildup in the chimney to stink up the house.

If you still have a smell to deal with it is probably from the firebox. To further neutralize any lingering smell, you can use a large salad bowl of white vinegar. Just put a good amount of vinegar in the bowl and set it in the firebox for a  day or two. This can also do a great job of neutralizing the fireplace burnt smell.

If you need to go one step further, you can also treat the firebox with baking soda (just remember to remove the vinegar bowl first). Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the floor and walls of the firebox. Let it set a few days and then vacuum it off. – Jason

Smokey fireplace smell, what should I do?

Smokey fireplace smell, what should I do?

by | Feb 28, 2018 | Chimney Problems

Vacustack

Q: Jason – I cleaned our fireplace hearth several weeks ago and still notice a smoke smell in the living room. I did the vinegar fireplace smell deodorizer trick that you suggested in another article and had little results. On windy and/or rainy days, the smell is worse. I am thinking of purchasing a special chimney cap, such as a vacu stack, which would prevent downdrafts especially when a fire is burning. That would solve back-drafting when the fireplace is lit.

I am wondering, in addition to the cap, if the Chimney Balloon would stop the odor from coming into the room especially days after the fire is out. Just wanted your opinion on that. I also measured just above the damper and came up with 36″ X 14″. Which Chimney Balloon would I need? – PM

A: Dear PM,  In order for the vinegar and baking soda trick to have a lasting effect in neutralizing the smell coming from the chimney the trick, is to seal the flue first so more creosote laced air doesn’t descend the flue into the room.

The 36×15 Chimney Balloon will fit well in a 36×14 flue and it will help you stop the smelly air from descending the chimney. It will all but eliminate the fireplace smoke smell as long as you install it in a low location (like by the damper).

The vacu stack (photo of one above) is great if your fireplace belches smoke during your burn from a deflecting outside downdraft that is pushing down at the chimney. This can sometimes be an issue if the chimney top is not above the roof-line or if trees deflect winds at the chimney.

If the issue is due to limited stack effect in your home then a vacu stack may not work so well. A fireplace that is smokey during the burn can have any number of issues causing the problem, but your Chimney Professional will likely be able to diagnose the issue.