9Nov
Maintenance Tips to Get the Most Out of Wood and Gas Fireplaces This Winter
The chilly autumn weather is finally here, and if you’re like most fireplace owners, you can’t wait to light up your first fire of the season. But before you do so, there are important maintenance steps you need to complete. Both wood fireplaces and gas fireplaces need preparation to ensure your fireplace will be safe to enjoy this season. So before lighting up that fire for the first time, make sure to follow these maintenance tips to keep you, your family, and your home safe and warm all winter long.
Clean & Inspect Your Chimney
If your fireplace is connected to a chimney, it’s important to have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional prior to use. Over the year, chimneys can collect debris, become nesting sites for animals, and also have a buildup of residue from last winter’s fires. This residue is called creosote and it poses a health and safety risk if left to build up in chimneys.
You need a clean chimney to allow smoke and other fire emissions to travel properly out of your home without any obstructions. A chimney full of dirt, debris, and creosote build-up is not only a fire risk, but it can also lead to smoke entering your home and reducing your indoor air quality.
A professional chimney inspector will also look for any damage to your chimney that could pose a fire risk or any threat to your home—such as cracks, loose bricks, missing mortar, and deteriorated chimney liners. Once your chimney is clean and any necessary repairs have been made, the chimney professional will cap your chimney to prevent any debris, animals, or elements from getting in.
Inspect Your Fireplace
Aside from inspecting your chimney, you should also have your fireplace inspected for damage. There are fireplace technicians who specialize in wood and gas fireplaces, checking the quality of bricks, mortar, fireplace boxes, glass doors, gas lines, and ignitors. After the pros have deemed your fireplace as ready to use, you can enjoy your fireplace worry-free this winter.
Clean Your Tools
Although you probably haven’t used your fireplace tools since the spring or winter, they will need cleaning to remove any dust. This is also a good time to inspect the condition of your fireplace tools. If they are dented, rusted, or damaged in any way, consider replacing your tools for a more enjoyable fireplace experience.
Even though you might be tempted to start a fire on the first chilly day this fall, make sure you’ve taken the proper steps to ensure your fireplace is safe and ready to use. Maintenance for both wood fireplaces and gas fireplaces is absolutely necessary so you can make the most out of your fireplace this winter without worrying about health and safety risks. Don’t forget to seek help from the experts if you run into any problems. Prep your fireplace soon so you can start enjoying the cold nights by the warm fire!