Chimney problems (maybe)+ smell

Hello,

Looking for adivce. I am living in a dormer bungalow in a country town - detached on its own site, with neighbouring detached similar properties around me. The sitting room has an open fireplace and as I rarely use it, I had cleaned last year (well after 8 yrs and for visitors I would light a fire) but other than that, just at Christmas. I burn briquettes, mostly, and sometimes but rarely smokless coal.

Recently I put on a fire in this sitting room with just a few, maybe 4/6 briquettes, just to AIR the chimney. The following day it left a turf smell in the room and I can still find it! Not as bad but I just want to know, can I do anything to sort it? I have often thought of putting in one of these glass doors, suppose to be good and efficient, and it would mean that the rare fire I would set there, would have more of a heat impact!! Anyway, my immediate problem is this lingering smell? Help!!

Open the windows ....and what's so bad about a turf smell anyway!?!;D

Thanks for that! But I think it is not as easy as opening windows! I am one of those people who is sensitive to smells, especially any type of smoke!! But I know what you are saying!!!!

could be a birds nest up there, would be worth getting it cleaned again.

Thanks Susie. I don't thinks so as I have protective chimney cover, although, come to think of it, that wouldn't stop birds from nesting. Yea, I intend getting it cleaned again, although the most fire I have set this past winter was about 6 in total!!!

did you find the smoke came into the room at all (even slightly)

Susie - I didn't notice any smoke just a smell from the briquettes. The only thing I thought might have had a smell effect was the fact that the briquettes I used were out in the wet since Christmas and were fairly damp, so maybe that added to the problem. In the 8 years I have been in the house, I have never had this problem before. For the few fires I lit there, there was never a problem with a `draw `on the lit fire. So it is a bit of a puzzle - could be a nest all right!

Just trying to pin it down at the moment!!

Damp turf, briquettes and timber will burn at a lower temperature leading to odour, smoke and other problems (chimney depostis etc). This is compounded by the fact that you did not build up a full fire. I suggest that if you want to "air" the chimney you should get the fire up to a good temperature for an hour our so. You shouldnt use damp material or add other wate (I know of people who add potato skins etc). You shuld use smokeless fuel after you get the fire stated. The lower temperatures just dont drive the smoke up the chimney!

As an aside I like the smell of peat and timber burning but I dont like the artificial smell that comes from some smokeless coals.

To Ajapale - Yes, I think you are right. That was the problem - using damp briquettes and they left a lingering smell on the fabrics in the sitting room as well. I will light a GOOD hot fire to air the chimney. Even though I do not use this fireplace regularly, I think it is also time for a sweep.

The `weathered `briquettes have been stored away in the garden shed, but I guess I will not be able to use them? when they dry out?

Thanks for the advice

Hi there.
I know this is an old post but came across it and wondered if our problem is connected to the chimney.

Over the last month or so I've been noticing and only in the living room what I can only describe as the smell of exhaust fumes.
Now we use the open fire regularly during the winter but very rarely in the summer there's no back boiler or anything attached to it. I can only think the chimney needs a clean as I mentioned it is only in the living room.
It's driving me mad....... anyboby got any ideas??

Thanks
Bijou