A few winters ago, I visited a home near Savin Rock where the homeowner complained about a “smoky smell” every time the fireplace was lit. Inside the flue, I found thick creosote glazed over the liner and a partially blocked area where birds had nested months earlier. The draft was so restricted that smoke had nowhere to go but back into the living room. After a full cleaning, the difference was instant — no more smoky odor, no more haze, and a stronger flame than they’d seen in years. That’s the impact a professional cleaning makes, especially in coastal neighborhoods like West Haven where moisture and soot buildup get worse faster.