Start with what you notice
Chimney problems, explained without guesswork
A stain, smell or smoky fire is a clue, not a diagnosis. Choose a symptom to document what happened, understand possible causes and ask for the right professional assessment.
Smoke entering the room
Smoke rolls out of a fireplace or stove into living space when starting or tending a fire.
Read the next steps →02Strong chimney odors
A persistent smoky, musty or unpleasant smell near a fireplace, especially between uses.
Read the next steps →03Water stains near the chimney
A stain appears on a ceiling, wall, firebox or masonry near the chimney.
Read the next steps →04Loose brick or damaged masonry
Brick faces flake, mortar falls away or the stack appears to lean or shift.
Read the next steps →05A cracked chimney crown
Visible cracking or deterioration at the top surface of a masonry chimney.
Read the next steps →06A missing or loose chimney cap
The cap is absent, tilted, damaged or found on the ground.
Read the next steps →07Poor chimney draft
Fires are difficult to start or smoke does not move steadily up the flue.
Read the next steps →08Excessive soot or black deposits
Soot appears unusually quickly on a fireplace, stove glass or near the flue.
Read the next steps →09Animal sounds or nesting material
Scratching, chirping, feathers, twigs or unusual debris appear in or near a chimney.
Read the next steps →10Suspected chimney blockage
A vent seems obstructed, smoke reverses direction or debris falls into the appliance.
Read the next steps →If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, there is an active chimney fire, or smoke is filling the home, leave the building and call emergency services from outside.
Official safety resources →