Is There Something Spooky Lurking In Your Chimney?

With Halloween just around the corner, hearing spooky noises isn’t out of the ordinary, but maybe those sounds in your home have you wondering if there is something spooky lurking in your chimney. Believe it or not, sounds emanating forth from your chimney are not the sound of the season. It could even be something scarier, a sign there is a more significant problem, possibly even a hazardous one. You don’t need to call the Ghostbusters for the sound in your chimney; you need to call a qualified chimney sweep service. Let’s see what could be causing those eerie noises in your chimney.

Chimney Sounds Created by Wind

Frequently, the cause of a spooky sound coming from your chimney is like the old adage, “It’s just the wind.” Like the sound from an old haunted house record, the wind can produce a bellowing, moaning, or whistling noise as it rushes through your chimney, especially if there is a mass such as a nest or leaves that plugs the chimney and magnifies the sound.

If the noise disturbs you, a chimney sweep can install a chimney cap or adjust the one. You have to alter the airflow in many cases, which will eliminate the sounds coming from your chimney.

Spooky Chimney Sounds Caused by Draft & Backdraft

If you hear a sharp, deep rumbling or a rushing burst of air, the origin of the sound in your chimney could be a draft or a backdraft. It occurs when the air is pulled into the chimney and below to your fireplace. Backdrafts can be dangerous because they force smoke and carbon monoxide back into your house.

Hiring a chimney sweep service will ensure your chimney is well-ventilated by cleaning it at least once a year. You can help prevent sounds in your chimney by using seasoned wood and keeping your damper open to aid with ventilation. Placing a carbon monoxide detector and smoke detector fifteen feet from your fireplace is also wise.

Chimney Sounds Caused by Expanding & Contracting Metal

Many chimneys contain metal components that can make clicking or scraping noises as they expand or contract. It is a normal sound and isn’t a cause for worry unless it’s unduly loud or persistent.

Spooky Chimney Noises Made by Structural Issues

A nearly indistinguishable cracking or scraping sound may indicate that your bricks or mortar are falling apart inside your chimney. It’s a red flag because it means your chimney’s structural integrity may be compromised. If not dealt with, your chimney could crumble.

Chimney Sounds Caused by Wildlife

At Halloween, bats in the belfry are a welcome sound, but not in your chimney; neither are birds or rodents. All of these critters may be looking for a place to hunker down for the winter during the fall, so they are often the cause of spooky noises in your chimney.

Eerie Chimney Noises Caused by Chimney Liner Damage

A damaged chimney liner may create a popping or cracking noise when using your fireplace. Those sounds can be harbingers of danger because a cracked chimney liner could ignite a fire in the combustible parts of your house, such as timbers in the attic.

To Sum Up

Most noises of spooky sounds in your chimney are harmless, but knowing the cause of the noise is a vital thing to do. It can bring peace of mind and ensure the safety of your home. Regular chimney maintenance and inspections prevent potential issues and guarantee a safe and cozy fireplace experience.

Felgemacher Masonry Can Get Rid of Unwanted Chimney Sounds

Contact us in the greater Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY, or Charlotte, NC, if you hear sounds going bump in the night from your chimney. We will schedule our chimney sweeps to come and find out what is the cause.