2 months ago, I lit a fire in my fireplace and I noticed that my fireplace smelled like burnt plastic, Now you are here after searching for why does my fireplace smells like burning plastic.
Don’t worry it is a common problem faced by hundreds or thousands of fireplace owners, but there are only a few reasons why your fireplace smells.
After going through this article, you will identify the cause of the smell that can help you to take major steps to get rid of the smell in your fireplace.
so your fireplace burns safely and without emitting any bad odors.
The common causes of the burning plastic smell in the fireplace are:
- New Fireplace used for the First time.
- Paint from the Stove or the pipeline is burning.
- The Chimney Flue Liner is Installed Improperly.
- New Furniture or Paint Near the Fireplace.
- building up of Creosote in the fireplace.
- Electric fireplace wires and elements could be heated up.
- Usage of Ventless Gas Fireplace.
- Burning Plastic or other Synthetic Materials.
Go through this detailed guide to learn more about why your fireplace smells like burning plastic in brief and solve the problems.
Why does My Fireplace Smell like Burning Plastic?
The Major Causes of the Burning Plastic Smell in your Fireplace are Explained Below:
#1: New Fireplace used for the First time
The first time I used a new fireplace it was an exciting experience. But the experience turned out in an odor that smells like burning plastic, it usually caused due to the few materials used to construct the place being burned in the first place.
Normally, this smell should disappear after some burning rounds and it does not have any long-lasting effects on your house.
Give the area proper ventilation through your chimney for the first time to get rid of the smell remaining in your room for a long time.
#2: Paint from the Stove or the Pipeline is burning
The acidic smell of burnt plastic can become one of the unpleasant odors for you to experience, and it happens many times when paint from the stove or pipeline is curing due to an overheating surface.
Out of Luck, the scent of burning plastic is a sign that confirms while constructing a project something went wrong, it commonly indicates that the paint has hardened too fast and has begun to become charred(burn).
The smell of Stove or pipeline burning will go away with regular use once all the paint inside the stove burns completely.
To overcome this problem you can reduce the heat levels and provide proper ventilation.
#3: The Chimney Flue Liner is Installed Improperly
If your nose senses the smell of plastic burning while the fireplace is working, this could be an indication that your Chimney Flue Liner is Installed Improperly.
The role of a properly installed flue liner is to reduce the smoke and strange odor produced by your fireplace. It also prevents smoke and chemicals from entering your house, which can be dangerous to you (homeowner’s health).
If you want the chimney flue liner to perform its role well, then make sure to get inspections and maintenance for your chimney.
#4: New Furniture or Paint Near the Fireplace
I faced this problem personally when I decorated a room and most of the time we made the fireplace an area of focus. But unlucky this can have a bad impact on you and your family’s health when you decorate your stove with Plastic, Paint, or Wood.
Certain plastic materials gradually heat up and release a bad odor that spreads around your room.
So, for your and your family’s lungs and nose, Never Place any Plastic material, new furniture, or Painted objects near your fireplace.
#5: Building Up of Creosote in the fireplace
Creosote is a category of carbonaceous chemicals formed by the distillation of various tars and pyrolysis of plant-derived material such as wood and fossil fuels.
Creosote increase in fireplaces is a common problem that can turned into a bigger problem if lefts unnoticed. Creosote is normally made out of burning wood and flammable gas in the stove frequently.
Not only does an increase in Creosote eventually lead to dangerous chimney fires, but also causes a not-good smell in the house.
it is easy to prevent by cleaning it regularly and inspecting the buildup of creosote in the wood stoves.
#6: Electric fireplace wires and elements could be heated up
To bring Warmth and feel to your house one of the great ways is an electric fireplace, but before bringing one to your home it’s important to be aware of the fact that its wiring and elements can heat up and form a nasty burning smell.
This usually happens when the wire’s insulation starts to fail due to continuous usage for a long period or electric overload.
The odor may be soft and inconsistent but shouldn’t go unaddressed, because it may cause a safety hazard that needs your attention, damaged wires can cause a disaster in your house.
Maintain your electric fireplace frequently, to avoid any problems in the future.
#7: Usage of Ventless Gas Fireplace
There is a high probability that Ventless gas fireplaces increase the risk of carbon monoxide increase and release all kinds of nasty smells in your place. Many fireplace owners have reported odor problems like clothes is burning, cotton burning, and also plastic in their living space.
So, keep in mind the installation of ventless fireplaces.
#8: Burning Plastic or other Synthetic Materials
Burning Synthetic material or Chemically treated plastic wood in your fireplace can cause a serious scar on your overall health specially your lungs, emitting toxins that spread in your house while you breathing in and out that air can cause respiratory diseases.
This toxic air not only smells uncomfortable but also it can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation.
From burning plastic the air quality becomes very bad for you, your family, and your future parts in the house.
That’s why you must make sure that what thing is burning in your fireplace.
Is it normal for the fireplace to smell?
It is normal for a fireplace to emit a mild smell when being used, especially for the first time or after a season gap.
The smell comes from the debris that has accumulated from the past summer In the chimney.
It could be a problem if the smell is strong or persists, such as burning plastic or synthetic material or a leak and creosote buildup in the chimney.
In such cases, a professional must check the fireplace and the smell that is emitting from the fireplace, and take major actions if he finds any major problem.
Is It concerning If your fireplace smells like Burning Plastic?
In my opinion, this is a problem that cannot be ignored at any cost. This kind of smell many times indicate that some dangerous gases are stored up inside the chimney and may become a big problem in the future.
If you don’t want to encounter with this kind of smell you must inspect the fireplace through a professional as soon as possible.
The inspection of a professional will easily detect the cause of this problem and can give a solution to your problem specifically.
What things you should not put inside a fireplace?
If you are a house owner then you should know what items you shouldn’t put inside your fireplace other than wood or manufactured fuel logs.
- Do not burn construction scraps, treated wood plastic, paper products (like newspaper or wrapping paper), or cardboard in your fireplace. These types of material if burned may emit dangerous flames and contaminants that can affect your health.
- Don’t try to burn materials like paint, aerosol cans, or containers which is pressurized inside your fireplace these materials are hazardous in nature. These items contain hazardous chemicals that could be released to contaminate the air of your house and sometimes these items explode, which can lead to severe injury to your home and other items.
- Many people use accelerants like gasoline or kerosene to light a fire but if you are reading this never do this because these substances are highly flammable and dangerous inside a close environment like a fireplace.
- Never use garbage to light a fire in your fireplace because it results in a hazardous environment in your house, which not only damages your house but also has a bad effect on your respiratory system.
- The use of Charcoal is also not recommended because it can produce deadly gases like carbon monoxide gas and cause a quick rise in temperature in your room.
Safety Tips for Using Gas Fireplaces
- Make sure that you have access to control the gas fireplace and that it is working properly.
- Keep your pets and children away from the fire.
- Keep the fire extinguisher near the fireplace in case of emergency.
- You should learn about the gas shut-off valve and how to turn it off in an emergency.
- Use the gas fireplace only in confined surroundings with proper ventilation.
- Frequently check for any leakage of the gas pipeline and connections using a soapy solution. If you find any leakage, then immediately turn off the gas and contact a professional specialist.
- Make sure your gas fireplace given a proper ventilation to prevent the collection of carbon monoxide.
- Only do use the type of fuel your fireplace manufacturer recommends for your specific type of gas fireplace.
- Keep your items that are flammable such as wooden furniture, curtains, and rugs, a minimum of 4 feet away from the fireplace to prevent any fires.
Safety Tips for Using Electric Fireplaces
- If the cord or plug is damaged, frayed, or shows any signs of wear and tear then do not use the electric fireplace.
- To prevent accidental injury always keep your children and pets away from your electric fireplace.
- Clean the electric fireplace frequently to prevent the collection of dust, which eventually can be converted into a fire hazard.
- Ensure that you have an electric fireplace that is free from damage and in good condition which means check the wiring and cords are in good condition.
- Avoid touching any heating elements with your naked hands, while using the electric fireplace.
- Always use the electric fireplace with a properly grounded power socket and never with an extension cord.
- Keep your flammable material away from electric fireplaces such as curtains, furniture, and rugs to prevent them from catching fire.
Importance of Cleaning Your Stove, Fireplace, and Chimney
Cleaning your Stove, Fireplace, and Chimney is essential for several reasons:
- Cleaning your stove, fireplace, and chimney frequently can help to maintain a clean and hygienic look in your home.
- If you clean your stove, fireplace, and chimney regularly it can increase the lifespan of your appliances and reduce the major and minor repairs cost for you, it also applies to all other electric appliances.
- A dirty chimney can block the pollutants and harmful chemicals in your house, prevent the air from passing and it can harm your health. That’s why regular cleaning of the chimney is mandatory.
- The cleanliness of your fireplace, stove, and chimney is responsible for better airflow, which eventually results in enhanced heating efficiency and efficient heating costs.
- Collection of creosote will harm your health in some sense, it may trigger a fire and cause a chimney fire.
FAQ
Do fireplaces affect your indoor air quality?
Yes, fireplaces can affect your indoor air quality because the smoke it emit has particles and gases like carbon monoxide, which can be harmful for you.
Can I go to sleep with a fire in the fireplace?
No, never sleep with a fire in the fireplace, stove, heater, or chimney. it’s not gonna happen every time but sometimes fire can spread through your flammable items and convert into a big fire and it can cause high damage to your home.
Why does my fireplace smell burn?
A fireplace many times smell burnt because you use it after a long period of time or a season after. The collection of dust, debris, and creosote starts burning then the smell of burnt comes out and produces a nasty smell.