Burning Odor Coming From Chimney – Safety Issues
A burning smell without a fire is a serious warning sign. Know what to do.
If you smell burning and hear rumbling/roaring, evacuate immediately and call 911!
Immediate Actions to Take
A burning smell when there's no fire is never normal and should be treated as a potential emergency.
IF YOU SUSPECT A CHIMNEY FIRE:
- Get everyone out of the house immediately
- Call 911 from outside the home
- Do NOT use water to extinguish—it can cause explosive steam
- Close the damper if safely accessible (starves oxygen)
- Close all doors and windows if safely possible
- Wait for firefighters—do not re-enter
Smoldering Creosote: How Level 3 Glaze Can Ignite
Level 3 glazed creosote is a shiny, tar-like substance that builds up from incomplete combustion. It's extremely flammable and can ignite from retained heat in the chimney—even hours after your last fire.
This is especially dangerous in wood stove installations in Mooresville (28115) and Davidson (28036) where fires are burned low for extended periods, creating perfect conditions for glazed creosote formation.
Signs of a smoldering creosote fire:
- Burning smell hours after fire has gone out
- Hot spots on the chimney exterior wall
- Smoke or steam coming from chimney when no fire is lit
- Rumbling or crackling sounds from the flue
- Discoloration of the chimney structure
Why This Happens in Mooresville and Davidson Wood Stoves
The Lake Norman area has many homes with wood stoves as supplemental heat. Common practices that lead to dangerous creosote buildup:
- Burning "low and slow" for overnight heat—restricts oxygen, causes incomplete combustion
- Using unseasoned wood—high moisture content lowers fire temperature
- Closing air vents too much—smothers fire and increases smoke
- Burning softwoods exclusively—pine and other softwoods produce more creosote
- Skipping annual inspections—creosote builds unnoticed
Preventing Dangerous Creosote Buildup
The best protection is annual cleaning and proper burning practices:
Burn Hot & Clean
- • Use seasoned hardwood only
- • Maintain flue temp above 250°F
- • Avoid overnight smoldering fires
- • Keep air supply adequate
Professional Maintenance
- • Annual inspection (Level 1 minimum)
- • Professional sweeping before each season
- • Video inspection for hidden buildup
- • Glazed creosote chemical treatment
After the Emergency: What Happens Next
If firefighters responded to a chimney fire (or suspected fire), your chimney cannot be used again until professionally inspected and repaired.
Chimney fires can reach 2,000°F—hot enough to crack flue tiles, damage mortar, and compromise the chimney's structural integrity. Even a "small" fire that seems to go out on its own may have caused hidden damage.
We provide post-fire inspections with video documentation to assess damage and plan repairs. This documentation is often needed for insurance claims.
Don't Risk a Chimney Fire
Schedule your safety inspection today—it could save your home.
Proudly Serving Charlotte and the Entire Piedmont Region
We provide comprehensive chimney services to the following locations:
Charlotte, NC
28202, 28203, 28204, 28205, 28206, 28207, 28208, 28209, 28210, 28211, 28212, 28213, 28214, 28215, 28216, 28217, 28218, 28219, 28220, 28221, 28222, 28223, 28224, 28226, 28227, 28228, 28229, 28230, 28231, 28232, 28233, 28234, 28235, 28236, 28237, 28241, 28242, 28243, 28244, 28246, 28247, 28253, 28254, 28255, 28256, 28258, 28260, 28262, 28263, 28265, 28266, 28269, 28270, 28271, 28272, 28273, 28274, 28275, 28277, 28278, 28280, 28281, 28282, 28284, 28285, 28287, 28288, 28289, 28290, 28296, 28297, 28299, 28105, 28130, 28134, 28126
Huntersville
28070, 28078
Cornelius
28031
Davidson
28035, 28036
Mooresville
28115, 28117
Matthews
28104, 28105, 28106
Mint Hill
28227
Pineville
28134
Concord
28025, 28026, 28027
Gastonia
28052, 28053, 28054, 28055, 28056
Monroe
28110, 28111, 28112
Lincolnton
28092, 28093
Salisbury
28144, 28145, 28146, 28147
Albemarle
28001, 28002
Greensboro
27401, 27403, 27405, 27406, 27407, 27408, 27409, 27410, 27455
Winston-Salem (West Salem)
27101
Don't see your area? Call us at (704) 200-2087 — we may still be able to help!
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