Why does my fireplace smell worse in summer in Bloomington?

Warm, humid summer air and a cooler flue can reverse the airflow, so the chimney breathes into the house. Moisture in the masonry and old creosote then give off the smell.

Does an older Bloomington home make a smell more likely?

Older homes near downtown often have aging masonry chimneys, and freeze-thaw winters wear on crowns and mortar. That lets in water, which adds to the odor.

Will a sweep fix the smell?

Often, yes, because the smell is usually the creosote itself. If water is entering at the cap, crown or flashing, that has to be repaired too.

Do I need a permit or a licensed contractor in Illinois?

Sweeping and basic inspection generally do not need a permit. Relining or rebuilding usually does, and requirements are set locally. Ask the technician what they hold, and confirm with the local building department.

What does it cost to find out?

The estimate is free. The technician inspects the chimney and gives you the price before any work starts, and you approve it first.

Who to call for chimney smell in Bloomington, IL

Bloomington's older neighborhoods near downtown have aging masonry chimneys and fireplaces, and a smell of smoke or damp coming from one of them is a common call. One Call Chimney is a referral and scheduling service. We arrange independent sweeps and masons for Bloomington homes. We are not the contractor and we do not do the work. Look for a technician who inspects the flue first, shows you the camera footage, and gives you the reasoning in writing before anything starts.

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What has almost certainly happened is simple. Creosote or soot is sitting in the flue, or water is getting into the masonry, or both. Sometimes an animal nest or debris is part of it. The smell is the flue telling you something is in there. It gets worse in summer here because the chimney breathes into the house.

While you wait — please don't

Do not light a fire to burn it off. If the smell is creosote, a fire adds more fuel to a flue that may already be coated.
Do not mask it. A closed damper and an air freshener hide the smell, but the flue may still be full of fuel.
Stop using the fireplace if smoke enters the room. Smoke coming into the house can mean a blockage or a damaged liner, so leave it unused until a technician has looked.
Get outside if you feel unwell. A smell with headaches or nausea means carbon monoxide until proven otherwise, so go outside and call 911.

What the technician does

Free estimate and inspectionThe technician inspects the chimney and gives you the price before any work starts. You approve it first.
SweepingThe smell is usually the creosote itself, so removing it is often the main fix.
Closing the moisture pathIf water is getting in at the cap, crown or flashing, that gets repaired so the damp smell does not return.
Clearing nests and debrisNest material or animal debris in the flue is removed, since it can smell and can block the draft.
Damper repair or a top-sealing damperA damper that does not seal lets air and odor move freely, so it is repaired or replaced with a top-sealing one.
House pressureThe technician considers how the house pulls air, because that decides which way the chimney breathes.

Why this happens in Bloomington, IL

Bloomington has hot, humid summers. When warm, humid air meets a cool flue, the airflow can reverse and the chimney breathes into the house. That is why the smell is often worse in July than in January. Illinois summers also leave moisture trapped in masonry and in flues that sit unused, which can bring odors and speed up liner corrosion. Winters bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which are hard on masonry chimneys. Cracked crowns and worn mortar joints let water in, and water adds to the smell.

The housing here varies from one block to the next. Older brick and frame houses near downtown often have masonry chimneys and original fireplaces, while newer subdivisions in places like Normal, Hudson and Downs have different setups. Across Illinois, many homes still vent a gas furnace or water heater through an older masonry chimney, so a smell is worth checking promptly. Demand rises in late fall and winter, so if the smell is bothering you now, summer is a good time to deal with it.

Questions people ask

Why does my fireplace smell worse in summer in Bloomington?: Warm, humid summer air and a cooler flue can reverse the airflow, so the chimney breathes into the house. Moisture in the masonry and old creosote then give off the smell.
Does an older Bloomington home make a smell more likely?: Older homes near downtown often have aging masonry chimneys, and freeze-thaw winters wear on crowns and mortar. That lets in water, which adds to the odor.
Will a sweep fix the smell?: Often, yes, because the smell is usually the creosote itself. If water is entering at the cap, crown or flashing, that has to be repaired too.
Do I need a permit or a licensed contractor in Illinois?: Sweeping and basic inspection generally do not need a permit. Relining or rebuilding usually does, and requirements are set locally. Ask the technician what they hold, and confirm with the local building department.
What does it cost to find out?: The estimate is free. The technician inspects the chimney and gives you the price before any work starts, and you approve it first.

One call

Call (866) 576-7943 and we will arrange an independent technician for your Bloomington chimney. The estimate is free, and the price is agreed with you before any work starts.

Call now · (866) 576-7943

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One Call Chimney arranges the visit; the technician does the work and gives you the price.