School is back in session and high school football fills most of our Friday nights. It’s fall, and the temperatures have plunged to make sure we’re well aware. Leaves are falling, Halloween is just around the corner, and the fireplace is looking pretty tempting. But wait – have you had the chimney cleaned and inspected yet? Are you really ready to light that first fire of the season? Here’s how to make sure your fireplace and chimney are ready for fall.

Hire a Chimney Sweep

Yes, the first step is to call us for a chimney inspection and cleaning. We’re fully aware that you can visually examine the chimney from ground level. You may even climb onto the roof to get a better look at what’s going on. But we’re CSIA Certified and we can tell you if something weird is going on with the inside of your chimney. We’re trained to recognize issues that you may not notice until it’s too late.

Make Necessary Repairs

Your chimney and fireplace may need nothing more than a thorough cleaning. You’re good to go if that’s the case. We can let you know which chimney repairs are needed, if any, and give you a quote on those.

Stock Up on Wood

Always burn seasoned hardwoods that are locally sourced if possible. Don’t ever burn trash, paper, or other materials in the fireplace. They may not burn completely and will likely increase smoke, creosote, and air pollution both inside and outside your home. Seasoned wood burns cleaner and longer than unseasoned wood. Hardwoods such as oak and maple burn longer than soft woods like pine.

Always Better to be Safe than Sorry

The chimney and fireplace should be thought of as wood-burning appliances because that’s exactly what they are. They have moving parts and some parts that need to be replaced from time to time. Chimney inspections are so much more than shining a light down the chimney and checking it out for exterior cracks. We examine every part of the chimney to make sure that it is in good health.

Chimney Cleaning in the Springfield Area

We have two CSIA Certified chimney sweeps standing by to assist you with your chimney needs. Give us a call at 610-626-2439 to schedule an appointment for a chimney inspection or cleaning. We provide chimney services throughout the Main Line region.