What’s Causing the Creepy Noises in My Chimney?
It can be a little unnerving to hear spooky noises coming from your chimney and not immediately know what’s causing them. The howling, whooshing, tapping, ticking, creaking and cracking sounds all seem to point to a ghost or ghoul having taken up residence in your chimney. Before you call in the supernatural investigators, let Mercer County Chimney Services take a closer look.
Creepy Crawlers in the Chimney
Some of the spooky chimney sounds could be caused by small animals taking up a residence inside your chimney. A variety of critters, including birds, squirrels, bats, rodents and raccoons, like to take shelter in chimneys. They may even choose to stick around long enough to build nests and raise their young.
These animals can cause a racket with their cawing, tapping, and scratching. The nesting material they bring in, or the occasional dead animal can cause a block in your flue and spell danger for you. Make sure you are getting your chimney chimney professionally swept annually. During your inspection the CSIA certified chimney professional may also suggest installing a sturdy chimney cap to keep debris and animals out of the flue.
Howling Winds
Sometimes wind whispers, and sometimes it howls. When wind blows down your chimney you will hear it! Fireplace and chimney systems are supposed to allow enough air inside to create a draft and feed the flames, but an excess of wind can be a problem. Make sure you have a chimney cap installed, or replaced, and that your damper is closed when the fireplace is not being used.
Spooky Structural Sounds
You may hear some settling, creaking, cracking or popping sounds in your chimney.
- Decaying bricks within the masonry
- Metal chimney parts being affected by hot and cold temperatures
- Pieces of a clay tile chimney liner breaking or separating
- Creosote expanding
If the sounds are loud, it is a good idea to have a expert take a look.
Chimney Fires
Chimney fires happen more often than you probably think. Many of these fires are quick and go out on their own before they become obvious. But any chimney fire can cause serious damage to the interior parts of a chimney, so be aware of common chimney fire signs:
- Odd clicking or tapping noises
- A deep rumbling sound like a distant train
- Excess dark smoke coming from the top of the chimney or through the fireplace
Call 911 immediately and evacuate the house. Never attempt to put out a chimney fire on your own. After the danger has passed and the firefighters have cleared the scene, have the chimney inspected and evaluated before using the fireplace again.
How to keep your chimney safe
Few things are as important as ensuring the safety of your home, which is why it is critical to annually inspect your fireplaces and chimneys. If you are in need of an inspection, fill out our contact form. Mercer County Chimney Services operate in cities across the county, including Plainsboro NJ, Ewing NJ, Hopewell NJ, Pennington NJ.