Wood burning stove and daily headaches

[ilovedisneymm]

I hope this is where I post this question. I'm not on any other forums, so this is the best place for me to post my question.

We build a new house last year and last winter was our first time using our new wood burning stove. We used it all winter and it was wonderful. I'm a homeschool mom and married to a farmer, so between myself and my husband we were able to keep the fire going all winter long. With the blower on the back, it heats our entire home beautifully. WE LOVE IT!!! That said, this has been the first summer after using it. I have daily headaches from what is some smell radiating from it. It smells when there is humidity and or when it rains. I am highly sensitive to smells. I can't wear perfume, everything we use from hand soap to laundry detergent must be washed in non-scented clear and free form. So this smell that comes from it, does not bother anyone in the home but me. We tried the chimney balloon that is said to block the downdraft. Lengthy research has me to believe that the smell I smell is from the creosote in the chimney and the downdraft that comes with having a wood burning stove. The balloon is not helping and I can't keep living with daily headaches from this every summer when humidity runs high. When I open the stove and smell, I don't smell it. To me, it seems to just radiate from the stove versus coming down from the actual pipe. Which would be likely why the balloon is doing nothing to help.

I need to find a resolution! Any help here? Does anyone have a stove with similar issues and how to fix this?

I swear, I might just get a piece of plexiglass to fit the alcove and board the darn thing up in the summertime.

We are not finished yet with trim and other things, but here is what it looks like.

 

[laurafergie]

You’re smelling the creosote buildup and humidity intensifies it. Can you turn the dampers off? It may help a bit, also have a chimney sweep clean out the pipe and chimney. You should do that yearly anyway since you all used it heavily. And if all else fails, boarding up the nook is not a bad idea.

 

[North of Mouse]

I grew up with a similar wood stove, plus for many years dh & I had a 'Big Grizzly' that fit in a large fireplace opening.
Both situations were our only heat also, but we never experienced any affects like you are.
There were 'smoke like' odors in that room during the summer, but didn't bother us.

When we sold our last home, we had the chimney and flu cleaned to try to obliterate the odor (as one family complained) but it did little, and our buyer never even mentioned it. We just sort of thought it went with the territory. Not sure what else you could do for it.

To @laurafergie , the dampers are always in the 'off' position when the stove is not being used, but would do little for odors.

Sorry you are having headaches. Is it 'only' in the summer?? Seems it would affect you just as much when the wood is being burned. Could it possibly be an allergy from another source? Have never heard of anyone I know having issues - hope you can identify the problem and have relief soon.

 

[tvguy]

First, I hope you have a carbon monoxide detector for safety with a wood burning appliance in the house.

Second, I have to wonder if it is paint burning off the stove.

We have an insert that we used for about 10 years to heat our house in the winter. Our son was born about 4 years after that and he had asthma. It was much worse in the winter, and he even had to be hospitalized once. When he was about 6 the Pulmonary specialist asked about how we heated our house, as most folks use electricity or natural gas for heat. We mentioned the insert, and he suggested we stop using it to see if it made his difference. Our son had no issues after we stopped using the insert. The Pulmonary specialist said the dust from wood ash, and the dry heat can really aggravate asthma and other breathing issues. So you may have a sensitivity to heat and dry air too.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

@laurafergie @North of Mouse @tvguy

Thank you for your feedback. We have lived in our new home for just a little over a year now. I had no problems last summer (prior to using the stove), nor when the stove was in use (no burning paint issues), and only this summer when the humidity has ran high or the rain comes in and changes the pressure and temperature. That is the only time it bothers me. I am certain it is from the wood stove and no other source. I can smell it when I get near the stove and stand in the alcove, but cannot smell it on the other side of the room. Unfourtanly, I spend a great deal of time 10 feet away from the stove at my desk. I was hoping the balloon would help, but no.

We ordered a heavy duty chimney sweep this evening and hopes that will remedy the smell.

And yes, we do have a carbon monoxide detector.

 

[emer95]

I don’t have any experience with wood burning stoves, but I certainly know about headaches, and sensitivity to smell. I’m so sorry you’re going through this! How awful, especially since the stove is so lovely, and economical.
I’m sure you’ve already thought of this, but do you keep windows open to get air circulation during the summer? I hope you find a solution!

 

[Oh Kay!]

We had the same issue. Our chimney cleaner recommended installing a fan at the top of the chimney. We have it on pretty much all summer.

 

[tvguy]

Interesting article

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/...-harming-your-health-in-an-unexpected-way.htm

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Now that is a great idea. Do you have any links to what fan you use? Also, does this run on battery or what?

We had the same issue. Our chimney cleaner recommended installing a fan at the top of the chimney. We have it on pretty much all summer.

 

[Oh Kay!]

I'm sorry, we had it installed 7-8 years ago, so I forgot the name. I remember being told it was the same brand as the ones installed at the White House.

 

[Oh Kay!]

Oh, and it's hard wired to the house electric line. We turn it on/off and control the fan speed with a knob switch.