Prepare Your Fireplace For Winter
Tips on Winter Chimney & Fireplace Preparation
The best fireplaces and chimneys are ones that are safe. And the safe ones get that way through timely inspection, maintenance, repair and cleaning. Here are some winter fireplace preparation tips to make sure your fireplace runs safely and efficiently all through the cold season.
Fireplace/chimney inspection
Nationally certified chimney inspectors look at all elements and components within a fireplace/chimney system and use their years of experience to spot early signs of trouble. Trained inspectors can see things the average homeowner can’t, and they’re able to recommend the exact type of repair work to solve the problem in the fastest and least-expensive way.
Basic, Level 1 chimney inspections typically cover the following and more:
- Chimney masonry
- Chimney liner
- Smoke chamber/smoke shelf
- Fireplace damper
- Chimney cap
- Chimney crown
- Roof flashing
- Gas line connections
- Glass fireplace doors
- Interior of the firebox
Have your chimney professionally cleaned
Chimneys connected to wood-burning fireplaces can become storage units for huge levels of flammable creosote. Annual chimney sweep services – ideally at the beginning of the burning season, but other times are okay, too – keep creosote at a minimum and greatly reduce the chances of a chimney fire.
Chimney sweeps use tools such as rotating brushes, scrapers, solvents and vacuums to remove creosote, which may present as a sticky, flakey or solid substance. In addition, sweeps do their work carefully to prevent damage to the chimney liner or interior masonry. All U.S. fire-safety agencies recommend having your chimney swept once a year.
Repair chimney masonry
Chimneys with damaged masonry will allow water to infiltrate the system, where eventually it will cause significant damage that require expensive repair and rebuilding work. Minor cracking often can be addressed with a waterproof masonry sealant. More extensive damage requires repair work.
If your chimney has crumbling bricks, cracked mortar joints or other signs of decay, getting it repaired as quickly as possible is your smartest move.
Don’t wait until chunks of masonry are falling down into the firebox or combustible parts of the home are exposed to the intense heat from fires. (NOTE: Hire only certified chimney repair technicians for any type of chimney or fireplace repair.)
Have a chimney cap installed
Chimney caps sit atop the chimney and prevent the intrusion of water from rain and snow as well as tree debris and animal nests. Your chimney and fireplace will operate more safely and efficiently with a quality chimney cap in place.
Inspect smoke alarms and CO monitors
Whether you have a gas or wood fireplace or stove, it’s important to make sure working smoke alarms are installed appropriately throughout your home. Also, because fires create carbon monoxide, you should have working CO monitors located in the vicinity of the heating appliance. Don’t neglect these critical safety tools!
Chimney Specialists of Highland, WI, is ready to get your fireplace and chimney ready for the winter. Call us any time of year for certified chimney sweep services, chimney inspection and chimney/fireplace repair work. If you’re in the market for an exciting new fireplace or stove, visit one of our convenient hearth stores:
Chimney Specialists Inc.
869 Main Street, Highland, WI
Phone: (608) 929-4887 / Toll Free: (800) 395-6660
Dubuque Fireplace & Patio
925 Century Drive, Dubuque, Iowa
Phone: (563) 582-5156
