Why does my fireplace smell like smoke when it rains?

Fireplace odors after rain explained

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.

How do I stop my fireplace from smelling like smoke?

Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz the fireplace area to deodorize at the source. Spray a towel with vinegar and wave it around the room to absorb the fireplace odor. You can also use this tip to eliminate cigarette smell in your home.

Can smell fireplace when it rains?

Creosote, especially when wet, has a very powerful, obnoxious odor. Water penetration and negative pressure in the house are the main causes of fireplace odor. So the next step is to insure that there is an adequate rain cover (cap) on the top of the flue and that the exterior of the masonry is somewhat “waterproof.”

Why does my fireplace smell like smoke when there is no fire?

A: The odor is from creosote. Your chimney may need cleaning. But it also could be that your chimney is having trouble drafting, due to creosote buildup or pressure imbalances within the house, rather than outdoors.

Why does my fireplace smell on humid days?

To equalize the pressure, air moves down the chimney, making your house stink. Summer conditions add to the smoke-smell problem because our noses sense smells more intensely when the air is humid. In theory, closing the damper on your fireplace should stop the airflow where the air picks up the smell.

OIL SMELL IN HOUSE WHEN OIL BOILER RUNS

How do I stop the fireplace from smoking in my house?

Why does my house smell smoky?

If a house smells like cigarette smoke, but no one smokes in it, the source of the smell could be an accumulation of third-hand smoke on furniture, carpets, clothing, curtains, and walls. In some cases, it could be caused by old or damaged gas-based water heaters or furnaces.

How do you reverse a downdraft in a fireplace?

It is called a downdraft, occurring when the stove or fireplace is not burning. Extra tight dampers, even on top of the chimney, do not work well. But adding a little heat will reverse that draft, forcing air and those odors up the chimney and out.

Why does my fireplace smell all of a sudden?

Fireplace smells come from creosote deposits in your chimney, a natural byproduct of burning wood. Chimney odors are usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high, on rainy days, and/or when the air conditioner is running.

Why does my fireplace stink?

Perhaps your fireplace stinks after a fire. Maybe your fireplace smells in the summer or only when it rains. Foul odor near the hearth is often a result of soot/creosote build-up, animal obstructions, moisture entering the flue, or airflow problems inside the home.

What happens to a fireplace when it rains?

Water, whether it's rain or snow, can cause a lot of damage, especially to a masonry chimney. Water will rust steel fireboxes, clean out doors and cast iron dampers. Water seeps into small cracks and crevices and will expand when it freezes.

Can you have a fire in a fireplace when its raining?

It is perfectly acceptable to use a fireplace while it rains, especially if you have invested in a chimney cap, cowl, or damper. You can also take an additional step to keep your chimney waterproof by using a water-repellent on the exterior masonry work.

Does creosote smell go away?

Believe it or not, but a pot of vinegar left in the fireplace for a few days can also do the trick. Vinegar is great at absorbing all sorts of odors. Some homeowners find success by even using a paint brush to coat the walls of a fireplace with vinegar.

Does a wood burning fireplace make your house smell?

Wood-burning fireplace chimneys smell smoky whether they've just been swept or not, because no matter how thoroughly the flue is swept, every trace of soot and soaked-in creosote cannot possibly be removed.

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from a fireplace?

Yes, gas fireplaces are one potential cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. While there are many potential sources of such exposure, including certain appliances and devices, motor vehicles and wood stoves, gas fireplaces are a common culprit.

How often does chimney need to be cleaned?

HETAS encourage having your chimney swept at least twice a year when burning wood and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels. The best times to have your chimney swept are just before the start of the heating season and after your stove has not been used over a prolonged period.

Why does my fireplace smell like smoke in the summer?

When wood is burned in the fireplace, deposits of a natural by-product called creosote are left inside your chimney. These creosote deposits have a smoky scent, which grows especially strong with heavy summer rains, winds, humid air, and frequent air conditioner use.

Why does my chimney smell of soot?

Soot and Creosote Build Up

Simply using your fireplace without maintaining it will cause it to smell. This is because soot and creosote line the walls of your chimney. As it sits, it begins to smell more and more which will give your home a charcoal-like stench.

Why does my fireplace fill my house with smoke?

The most likely reason that your house is filling with smoke when you light a fire is that the damper is closed. The damper should be fully opened when the fireplace is in use, and closed when it is not. All indoor fireplaces have a damper that must be opened before you light a fire in your fireplace.

Why does my wood fireplace smell like burning plastic?

Like other devices made in a factory, gas fireplaces often have lubricants, paints, and other manufacturing processes that leave debris in the passageway, which will produce a stink sometimes described as burning plastic.

Can smell smoke in house but no fire?

Phantosmia is a condition that causes you to smell odors that aren't actually present. When this happens, it's sometimes called an olfactory hallucination. The types of odors people smell vary from person to person. Some might notice the odor in just one nostril, while others have it in both.

How do you get a wood burning smell out of your house?

White vinegar cuts through odors naturally. Try wiping down furniture, washable walls, floors, etc. with white vinegar. Also, try placing several bowls of vinegar around the room with the smoke damage, leaving them there for several days.

Should fireplace damper be open or closed?

A fireplace damper should always be kept open while the fire is burning. Furthermore, keep the damper open until all the embers are completely out; since smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide can enter the house. Once the ember bed is entirely out, close the damper.

Is fireplace smoke harmful?

Smoke has a negative effect on your lungs

“Exposure to wood-burning smoke can cause asthma attacks and bronchitis and also can aggravate heart and lung disease.” People with heart or lung diseases, diabetes, children and older adults are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure.

Should I crack a window when using fireplace?

To alleviate this problem, make sure that your basement fireplace damper is closed. The best solution is to crack a window in the basement (about a quarter of an inch) when you use your upstairs fireplace.