Sure, it’s warm now. But in just a few weeks, you’ll be ready for fireplace weather. If you’re like us, you can already imagine that warm glow and cozy feeling you’ll share with friends and family. The last thing you’ll want to feel is frustration with a smoky flue – or worse!
Maintained correctly, a fireplace or stove can warm your home and your heart all winter long. Before the weather cools, follow these fireplace maintenance tips so your home will be ready for the season.
1. Call a Chimney Sweep for Proper Fireplace Maintenance
First of all, hire a chimney sweep! Now is the time to clean the chimney out and ensure that your fireplace is in working order.
Wood fires coat the inside of your chimney with soot, ash, and creosote. Over time, this buildup can create a safety issue. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys be cleaned at least once a year to remove this soot and debris.
The early days of fall present the perfect opportunity to take care of this task. While your chimney sweep is cleaning, he can also check the structure and chimney liner for mortar gaps, loose bricks, deterioration or structural cracks.
2. Purchase the Right Equipment
here are a couple of accessories you’ll need to make your fireplace safe for winter. First, a chimney cap. This chimney cover with wire-mesh sides keeps the weather – and the critters – out of your fireplace. You’ll want to repair or replace a fireplace cap so birds don’t end up stuck in your chimney.
You’ll also want to purchase a guard or screen for the front of your fireplace. A metal screen or glass fireplace doors will keep embers in the fireplace where they belong. This is a necessity for the safety of your home and family.
One more fireplace safety tip: Be sure to keep the area around your fireplace or stove clean.
3. Build Your Fire the Right Way
We encourage our readers to keep these tips in mind as they build a great fire:
- Make sure the flue dampers are open and your fireplace or stove has a good draw.
- Choose dense, dry wood. If the wood is green or resinous, it can produce more creosote buildup in the chimney.
- Keep fires manageable. A small fire generates less smoke while a large fire that burns too hot can crack your chimney.
- Place your logs on the grate near the rear of your fireplace and use kindling – never flammable liquids – when you start your fire. And be sure to sweep out excess ash regularly! That way you can enjoy one cozy fire after another, all winter long.
