If you've ever left your fireplace unmaintained for an extended period of time, you know the odors it emits aren't all as enjoyable as the warm, burning embers of a seasonal fire. Unless you have a chimney repair and maintenance service at your disposal, you may find yourself left with a particularly pungent living room centerpiece, the potential causes for which are numerous. Fortunately, Charlie's Chimney Sweeps and Masonry helps residents and businesses throughout New Richmond, OH, with this and other related services all year round. They're here to narrow down a few of the main reasons behind unpleasant fireplace odors.

Top 3 Reasons Your Fireplace Smells

1. Lingering Moisture

Whether it's the result of a spill or water infiltration due to the lack of a chimney cap, moisture won't do your fireplace any favors. Not only does it have the potential to damage and rust components over time—including the damper and flue lining—but moisture will also lead to a foul and musty aroma. Regular chimney inspections from a professional service will help ensure this doesn't happen in the future. 

2. Soot, Creosote, & Other Debris

Moisture is also an issue when mixed with creosote, which is a dark, flammable tar that stems from wood smoking in the fireplace. Even without moisture, though, large amounts of creosote, soot, and other unwanted debris will generate noxious odors. Leaves and sticks are among the debris you don't want hanging around in your fireplace, and you'll definitely notice their presence as the decomposition process begins. Once again, chimney caps are the best way to prevent this, so call in a chimney repair specialist to check that yours is properly in place. 

3. Trapped Animals

Another casualty of poorly implement caps or damaged mesh are any poor animals that make their way into your chimney. Wildlife may have no problem getting in, but they'll find it difficult to get back out, and they're bound to produce foul smells whether they survive in there or not. Thankfully, most companies you depend on for chimney cleaning will also know how to handle these situations without harming any living creatures or putting you and your family at risk.

Animals stuck in your fireplace might not be as common as the rest of the causes, but it's always a possibility worth investigating. If you smell something strange coming from your fireplace, the best thing you can do is call in a professional right away. Get in touch with the chimney repair experts at Charlie's Chimney Sweeps and Masonry and you'll be able to go back to enjoying warmth and comfort without any setbacks in no time. Follow them on Facebook for updates, and call them at (513) 553-0229 to schedule services today.