All kinds of weird sounds can come from a chimney, so during the spooky season it isn’t uncommon to wonder if a ghoul, ghost, or other haunt is lurking inside. It is true that most of the sounds are from things that have gotten into the flue, not from the structure itself. Anderson’s Chimney Sweeps & Masonry Services of New Cumberland, PA, would like to take a look at some of the more common causes of chimney noise and what you can do about them.

Popping, creaking or cracking

These sounds are usually fairly subtle and may be pointing to:

• Decaying masonry bricks
• Decaying sections of a chimney liner
• Heating and cooling of metal chimney components
• Creosote expansion and contraction

What to do: Don’t assume that our descriptions here and your ears will tell you exactly what’s happening inside your chimney. If you hear anything that sounds like popping, creaking or cracking, schedule a chimney inspection so the problem can be identified and solved correctly.

Ticking, tapping or rumbling

These sounds are common during an active chimney fire. The ticking and tapping are typically loud enough to easily hear if you’re in the vicinity of the fireplace, and the rumbling is like the sound of a distant train. Large amounts of dense smoke coming from either end of the chimney is another common sign of a chimney fire. 

What to do: Call 911 first, then evacuate people and animals from the house and wait for emergency services to arrive. Do not attempt to put out a chimney fire on your own. When the problem is resolved, schedule a chimney inspection before using your fireplace again.

Animals

Squirrels, birds, racoons, rodents and other small animals often seek shelter inside chimneys. These critters make noise, and so do the offspring they sometimes give birth to in the chimney.

What to do: Have a chimney cap installed. Chimney caps cover the top flue opening and are made with mesh sides and a solid top. They keep animals (and tree debris) out while allowing the flue to draft efficiently.

An important side note: Nesting materials along with the occasional dead small animal can create a drafting obstruction and cause smoke and dangerous combustion gases to back up into your home.

Wind

Wind blowing inside a chimney can create a downdraft or backdraft. Whistling and whooshing sounds are commonly produced by wind.

What to do: Have a chimney cap installed, and make sure the wind is only coming from the top of the flue and not from another area within the chimney structure. A chimney cap will prevent most wind issues, including downdrafts and backdrafts that happen when the fireplace is active with an open damper.

Aside from chimney sounds . . .

Along with paying attention to the sounds your chimney makes, watch for these signs that indicate trouble:

• Chunks of sooty material in the firebox
• Water in the firebox
• Pieces of the clay tile chimney liner in the firebox
• White staining on the chimney’s bricks (means water is penetrating and leaching out salts)
• Damp or discolored sections of the walls or ceiling near the fireplace and chimney

The value of a chimney inspection

It’s difficult to know exactly what’s going on with a chimney until a proper inspection is performed. The crew at Anderson’s is ready to help with all recognized levels of chimney inspection so we can identify the problem and then get it resolved safely.

In addition to chimney inspections, we provide complete chimney cleaning, repairs and the installation of components, including chimney caps.

Give us a call, or get in touch with our handy contact form.