Not long ago, I visited a home near Highland Avenue where the family complained of a strong smoky smell filling their living room every time they lit a fire. They assumed the issue was minor—a simple draft problem. When I inspected the chimney, I discovered a large bird’s nest wedged deep inside the flue, mixed with heavy creosote buildup from previous winters. Torrington’s long cold spells had caused the homeowners to use their fireplace more frequently, which accelerated creosote accumulation. The blockage was so severe that smoke had nowhere to go but back inside the house.
Once we removed the debris, thoroughly cleaned the chimney, and restored proper airflow, the difference was immediate. Their fireplace worked efficiently again—and safely. Situations like this happen more often than people realize, especially in areas with unpredictable weather like Torrington.