How to Winterize Your Fireplace

Construction & Contractors Blog

Fireplaces operate the most in the winter, when the temperature requires your home to be heated through methods beyond the light of the sun. However, if you have a wood burning fireplace, there are a number of steps that you should take before you start using it extensively to ensure that it is working properly once the cold weather hits and you need it the most. Thankfully, if you start early enough, winterizing your fireplace is a fairly straightforward process.

How to Winterize Your Fireplace

• Have your chimney cleaned out to remove any buildups of soot or organic materials that could catch fire or hinder the flow of smoke out of your home. You'll want to hire a professional to do this.
• Check the top of the chimney to see if there are any nests that are homes for birds or rodents, as these could be significant blockages and pose a fire hazard. If you haven't already, install a screen over the top of your chimney to prevent animals from getting inside of it.
• Trim back any trees that hang over your roof, as they present a fire hazard. Additionally, clean off any buildup of leaves or flammable organic matter from around the chimney to reduce the likelihood of a fire on your roof.
• Check to make sure that the damper over the fireplace is not stuck and can open and close as needed. Lubricate it or have a chimney specialist come in to check it if it's become stuck. Ensure that you can lock and unlock your damper as needed. You'll need to lock and close it every time you aren't using a fire to prevent drafts from entering your home.
• Inspect the chimney to ensure that the masonry has not crumbled away and exposed the wall behind, as this can lead to fires within your home. Check the bricks around the base of the chimney in the actual fireplace first, but also look up the chimney to see if there are any breaks. If the masonry is damaged, you'll have to get the gaps repaired before you can light a fire in your fireplace.
• Store wood for your fireplace inside your home. You'll want to have a steady supply of logs and kindling within your home that you'll be able to quickly and easily access in the event of a power outage or snow in, and keeping them inside prevents them from becoming soaked in a sudden thaw.

If you need more advice, contact a heating service such as Colorado Comfort Systems.

7 July 2015