Is Your Chimney Smelly or Blocked? Schedule a Chimney Sweeping With one of Our 6 Certified Techs

So, you’re enjoying time in your living space when suddenly you smell a musty odor, maybe it smells like an animal, or maybe it reminds you of a campfire.

You realize it’s coming from the fireplace – which leads to more questions like, why is this happening and how do I stop it?

Breathe easy. We can help.

Here at English Sweep, Inc., we have ample experience with providing solutions for smelly chimneys. When it comes to eliminating fireplace odors, we know what to look for and what to do.

English Sweep Chimney Tech with Truck - English Sweep Valley Park MO

Chimney Sweeping equipment with limestone hearth and surround wood mantle with TV-Valley Park MO

Common Causes of Chimney Odors

There are several reasons why your fireplace, stove, or insert might be stinking up your home, but more often than not, foul odors are caused by a dirty chimney.

If your chimney isn’t capped, it will be easy for leaves, twigs, and other items to blow into it and block things up. And if these things can get in, you can bet water will work its way in, too. In the end, all that buildup will get wet, which will then leave you with some pretty nasty smells.

And speaking of uncapped chimneys… another thing to be wary of is animal entry. You don’t have to stretch your imagination too far to think of all the ways curious critters could stink up your flue if they’re given easy access. The strong walls of your chimney offer a perfect haven for birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other woodland critters – and if they set up camp, you’ll be inhaling some foul odors before you know it.

But one of the biggest things fireplace, stove, and insert owners have to worry about is creosote accumulation. Creosote is a tacky substance that forms in wood-burning systems as fires are burned. It’s known for giving off a strong smokey or tar-like smell, and it can really stink things up, especially in the summer when humidity is high and your air conditioning is cranked up.

English Sweep – Chimney Sweeping

Creosote is also known for being highly flammable, upping your chances of experiencing a chimney fire.

Our certified chimney sweep will remove brushable creosote and your chimney stays free of creosote and blockages, so you can stress less about foul odors, clogged flues, and other potential threats.

Do All Dirty Chimneys Smell?

While odors can signal it’s time for a chimney cleaning, not all dirty chimneys smell. So, you shouldn’t rely on an odor to tell you when it’s time to schedule your chimney sweep.

Instead, follow the National Fire Protection Association’s guidelines and schedule an annual inspection. That way, you’ll always know when your chimney is due for a cleaning – smell or no smell.

What if I Use a Gas Appliance – Do I Still Need to Have My Chimney Cleaned?

It’s a common assumption that these lower-maintenance appliances don’t need professional care and attention, but this is actually inaccurate. Just like with wood-burning units, gas appliances need regular cleanings, too.

So, if you have yet to schedule your maintenance, be sure to reach out.

Our 6 Certified Sweeps Get the Job Done Right

If your chimney system is dirty, it’s vital that you have all creosote, blockages, and ash removed before your next fire. But what makes English Sweep, Inc. the right company for your needs?

You deserve a team that is experienced and invested in training and education.
You deserve a team that puts your needs, concerns, and safety first.
You deserve a team that’s guaranteed to do the job quickly, safely, and correctly.

That’s us.

Safety

Work Ethic

Education

Efficiency

Professionalism

Solutions

Our Resume

40 years and 35 CSIA Certified Technicians
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Techs
Chimney science and chimney physics
CSIA lining masonry chimney with stainless
Heatshield resurfactant
NFI Core and Gas Certified
Past NCSG Board Member

English Sweep – Master Chimney Sweep

Let’s start with experience. We’ve been serving St. Louis and its surrounding areas for over four decades. So, when it comes to first-hand chimney experience, we’ve got it covered. There is not much we haven’t seen, so we feel equipped to handle any chimney problem you may be experiencing – even the less common ones.

Next up – training and education. We excel in this area and pride ourselves on employing the highest number of Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified sweeps in the area.

And then there’s our reputation for putting our clients first. People throughout our service area rely on us because we’re consistent, reliable, on time, and professional in every job we take on. We treat our customers like we’d want our own family treated!

Along with this, English Sweep, Inc. is home to the only CSIA Master Chimney Sweep in the state – owner Gregg Boss. This is an honor that isn’t easy to obtain, and it requires numerous years of experience as a CSIA-certified sweep. What does it mean for you? It means you can be confident the job will be done efficiently and properly.

Your Appointment Is Just a Phone Call Away

Don’t know who to trust with your chimney or fireplace, you deserve to know what’s going on with it. Our experts can get to the bottom of any issue, get back to making warm fireplace memories.

Keep your chimney swept and efficient – schedule your chimney sweep today. Call 636-225-3340 or reach out online to book your appointment.

An annual chimney inspection is one of the many services we offer and one that can help keep you and your family safer.