Why Fireplaces and Chimneys Smell After It Rains

When you’re taking a walk outside, the smell of fresh rain can be a lovely aroma. Unfortunately, if you have a fireplace, chances are you notice an unpleasant smell coming from it after a rainstorm. Lots of people try installing caps and dampers on their flues to reduce odor after it rains, but this seldom helps to solve the issue. If you want to prevent or reduce unpleasant odors from your fireplace after it rains, it’s important to understand the source of the problem and the most effective ways to limit odor.

Fireplace odors after rain explained

Your fireplace flue acts as an entry point for air coming into your house or passing outside. The pressure difference between the air inside your home and the air outside causes air to move from one point to the other. Depending on whether the pressure is higher outside or inside, air will either move up your chimney and out your flue, or into your flue and down your chimney. After a rainstorm, the pressure outside of your home tends to be greater than the pressure inside, and air will naturally come into your home through your chimney as a result.

Preventing fireplace odors

If you want to prevent or minimize odors from your chimney after it rains, there are a few different things that you can do. You can invest in a gasketed chimney flue to create a stronger seal and limit the amount of air that can come into your home through your chimney. In addition, you can counteract the pressure difference that draws air into your home by lighting a candle or a candelabra and placing it in your fireplace after it rains to push air up instead of drawing air in.

You can also reduce bad smells coming from your chimney by investing in regular fireplace cleaning in Wausau, WI. By cleaning out your chimney and fireplace on a regular basis, you can get rid of a lot of the debris and residue that coats the inside of your fireplace and creates bad odors when air flows into your home. Cleaning your fireplace and chimney might not entirely solve the problem of bad odor after rain, but it can make a big difference in the severity of the odor that comes into your home. In addition, regular chimney and fireplace cleaning can improve the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of your fireplace so that you can keep your home warm and reduce your fire risk.

Schedule fireplace cleaning in Wausau, WI

If you want to learn more about how to reduce odor from your fireplace or you need professional fireplace cleaning in Wausau, WI, reach out to the team at Marcell’s Specialties Inc. Since 1949, our experts have been proud to provide customers with comprehensive fireplace design, installation, maintenance and cleaning services. Whether you need help servicing an older fireplace or you are interested in incorporating a modern fireplace into your living space, our team is equipped with the experience and skills necessary to help you. Reach out to us today to arrange a consultation!

Categorised in: Fireplace Cleaning

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