Why does the fireplace smell between fires?

An odor is a reason to investigate

This guide addresses a recurring odor noticed when a fireplace is not operating. If you suspect a chimney fire or gas leak, see smoke entering the room or hear a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm, leave the building and call 911 from outside. Do not wait for a website enquiry to be answered.

For a recurring odor without an immediate emergency, arrange a professional assessment rather than lighting a fire to test the system. A description such as “smoky smell in the living room on humid afternoons” is more useful than a guessed diagnosis. Do not treat the disappearance of the smell as proof that the chimney is ready to use.

Why cleaning may be only part of the answer

In its homeowner FAQ, CSIA explains that creosote deposits can produce odor, especially in humid conditions. Air drawn down a chimney can carry that odor indoors; household pressure conditions can be part of the problem. CSIA also notes that sweeping may help without completely resolving the smell.

That explanation is background, not a diagnosis of your home. Ask the professional to distinguish the condition of the chimney from the way air is moving through the system. A service proposal should explain which concern it addresses and what still needs investigation.

Source: CSIA Homeowner Resources, fireplace odor FAQ, checked October 21, 2026. No specific component or airflow modification is prescribed here.

Write down the pattern without recreating it

Use observations you already have. There is no need to run appliances, alter ventilation, block a flue or start a fire to reproduce the smell.

• Location: which fireplace and room are involved, and whether you notice it elsewhere.
• Timing: when it began, how long it lasts and whether it is occasional or persistent.
• Conditions: whether you happened to notice rain, humid weather or normal heating or cooling operation at the same time.
• History: the last known use, inspection and cleaning, with reports if available.
• Changes: recent work on the chimney, fireplace or house, described without assuming it caused the odor.

Keep observations and assumptions separate. “Started after the windows were replaced” records timing; it does not establish why the smell began. Share both the timing and the work details so the professional can assess their relevance.

Ask what the proposed visit will establish

When arranging a visit, explain that the issue is an odor between fires. Ask whether the proposed scope addresses that concern, what information the provider needs and whether another specialist may be needed if the findings point beyond chimney maintenance.

Useful questions include: What did you observe? Which finding might explain the odor? What remains uncertain? What is the proposed next step intended to change? Request the answers in the report or follow-up notes so you can compare them with any recommended work.

Our inspection report guide helps organize those findings. If cleaning is recommended, ask what is included and how the provider will distinguish cleaning work from any remaining odor investigation.

If the smell returns after service

Contact the provider with the service date, the agreed scope and your updated observations. For example: “The same smell returned on Tuesday in the same room; the fireplace has not been used since the visit.” That gives the provider something specific to compare with the earlier findings.

Ask which concerns the completed work addressed and which were outside its scope. Avoid assuming that a returning smell automatically proves either poor cleaning or a need for a particular replacement part. Keep the invoice and report together, and request clarification before authorizing additional work.

For routine maintenance questions, see how often a chimney needs cleaning. A maintenance schedule does not replace assessment of a new concern.

Start with the details you know

For a New York chimney inspection enquiry, include your ZIP code, the fireplace type if known, when the smell occurs and the date of the last service. Mention any existing report and ask Brickhaven to confirm the available assessment scope.

You do not need to identify the cause before contacting a professional. A clear account of the problem is a useful starting point; the assessment determines what can be concluded and what should happen next.

Your questions, answered.