Chimney cleaning and sealing problem

[sclarke]

I have been searching the forum and looking around for some time but thought I would post something in hopes that I might get some help. the house really smells bad and I know it is from the creosote and the air/humidity entering the chimney. I have cleaned the chimney and the flue with a wire brush and vacuumed everything I can. I tried stuffing pillows where the vent is but it still smells. smells in the hallway worse. maybe a leak somewhere? I don't know. obviously its summer and we do not use it so my guess is that the humidity is making the smell worse. so do I need to seal the top of the chimney? I know some people suggest a chimney balloon but I have heard mixed reviews and they are like $60. any tips would really help our marriage right now.
thanks

 

[pyroholic]

In my experience $60 is a small price to pay to have a happy wife. Maybe try a test run with a punching balloon or something. If it helps, spend the $60 for the real chimney balloon.

 

[Woody Stover]

Do you have a stainless liner or just a masonry chimney with clay liner? I don't understand what you did with the pillows?

 

[firefighterjake]

A couple of possible suggestions.

1) Place a candle in the stove and light it . . . it may provide enough of a draft to move the smell up and out the chimney . . . plus you can satisfy any lingering effects of wanting to see a fire in the stove during the summer.

2) Some folks have placed a box of baking soda in the woodstove to counteract the effects of the creosote smell.