Is Your Chimney Haunted?
Unfamiliar noises in the wee hours of the night could cause you to question if something spooky is lurking. As a direct entrance and exit to the outside your chimney may be the culprit of some of the spooky sounds. Before you call in the paranormal team for the howling, tapping, and groaning you hear in the flue, let’s take a closer look at some more common possibilities.
Common Chimney Noises
There are many possibilities when it comes to unfamiliar noises coming from your home’s chimney. Sure it could be a ghost, ghoul, or creepy crawler, but it may be something much less spooky. Below are the most common causes for the spooky sounds in your chimney.
Creepy Critters
In the cooler seasons you may have animals seeking warmth and shelter inside of your chimney. These could be squirrels, mice, and chipmunks or something a bit more spooky like ravens, bats, and rats! If you hear chirping, you may have a bird nesting in your chimney. If you see bats swopping near the flue around twilight, those may be living inside too.
No matter what type of creepy critter has crawled down your chimney flue, its best to call the professionals at Dubuque Fireplace and Patio take care of the issue.
Howling Gusts and Storms
If you’re experiencing windy or stormy conditions, it’s possible that you may experience an uptick in unfamiliar noises. These noises could be whooshing, howling, whistling or moaning. Many of these are harmless and should calm down as the weather settles back down. Make sure your damper is closed when the chimney isn’t in use and that your chimney cap is installed.
Chimney Components
If you hear unfamiliar creaking noises, one thing to check first is your damper. It may seem too simple a fix, but it’s possible that you kept it open and it’s causing some creepy or unfamiliar sounds. A missing chimney cap could be allowing critters, wind or debris in!
A Dirty Flue
Is your chimney up to date on its annual cleaning and inspection? If the answer is no, then you may have a buildup of creosote causing the spooky sounds. Keeping up with your annual inspection and chimney sweeping also allows professionals to get their eyes on any issues as early as possible. This keeps the spooky sounds down and improves your fireplace safety and efficiency. The experts at Dubuque Fireplace and Patio know exactly what to look for when they clean and inspect your chimney. Then they will recommend any needed repairs or replacements.
Structural Issues
Certain sounds may be spookier than others! Loud noises, crumbling, crashing, popping, and cracking are all causes for concern! You might have crumbling masonry, a damaged flue, or be at risk for a chimney fire. Typically, the louder the sound, the more likely it’s pointing towards structural issues. Stop using your fireplace and call in the experts immediately.
Call Dubuque Fireplace and Patio
Dubuque Fireplace and Patio has a wide service area including southwest Wisconsin, northwest Illinois and northeast Iowa. Proudly serving the Dubuque tri-state area, including Dyersville IA, Guttenberg IA, Platteville WI, Apple Canyon IL, Galena IL, and Aiken IL.
