Preparing Your Fireplace for Winter​

Before you light up your fireplace (or wood stove) for the first time this season, prepare for a safe experience by being proactive about fireplace maintenance.

CLEAR AWAY CLUTTER – During warmer months, when your fireplace is off duty, a bit of clutter tends to accumulate. Be sure to clear the surrounding space and relocate anything flammable before you light your first fire this winter. Make sure furniture and rugs are a safe distance away, too.

INSPECT THE GASKET – Fireplaces with an enclosed fire box typically have gaskets, usually made of fiberglass, around the door to help keep smoke and gas in and excess oxygen out. If a gasket falls out, becomes frayed, brittle, or is otherwise damaged, be sure to replace or re-attach before using the fireplace.

TEST THE DAMPER – A fireplace damper is a metal door in the chimney that regulates the airflow inside the chimney. Typically, it opens or closes via a push rod or pull chain. The damper should be closed when the fireplace is not in use, and open when you want to start a fire. To make sure the damper still works, try opening and closing it. You can generally tell when the damper is open if you can feel a breeze or see up the flue when you look inside.

HIRE A SWEEP – Hire a chimney sweep to clean your chimney at least once a year, even if your didn’t use your fireplace very much last season. Creosote is an inevitable byproduct of burning firewood. There are several different types of creosote that can build up in your chimney. The first is ash-like and flaky, the second is sticky and similar to tar. The third is hard and glossy. All creosote is highly flammable and needs to be removed on a regular basis to keep your fireplace safe and working efficiently. A professional chimney sweep can effectively remove creosote build up and also alert you to any damage to your chimney.

REPLACE BATTERIES – Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are especially important when you are using your fireplace and other heating systems. To help keep everyone in your home safe, replace batteries and test to ensure they work when you need them.

A little preventive maintenance can help keep your home safe and warm this winter.