The warmer fall days are gone and the colder temperatures are returning for the winter here in Drexel Hill and all along the Main Line. This means that it is time for you to get your chimney and fireplace ready for use if you haven’t already. Please keep in mind that many things can happen from spring to fall, so your chimney probably isn’t ready for that first fire of the season yet.
Here is what you need to do to prepare your chimney and fireplace for the winter months:
- If you have not had your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned, this is the time to get it done. We can come in and clean all of the creosote out of the chimney and fireplace, so that it does not catch on fire and spread throughout the house. We will also check for blockages caused by animals, crumbling mortar and dampers that are not closing or opening properly.
- Once your chimney and fireplace have been cleaned, it is time to make sure that you have the proper firewood to burn. You will want to choose firewood that has been seasoned. By burning seasoned wood, you will reduce the amount of creosote that will build up inside your chimney and fireplace throughout the season.
- As you are building fires inside your fireplace, we recommend that you do not build large fires. A smaller fire creates less smoke and less creosote. A good way to stack the wood is to place larger logs on the bottom with smaller pieces on top. This will create a fire that will burn longer and hotter.
- When you are using your fireplace, we recommend that you use a mesh metal screen to prevent sparks from flying into your house. This will prevent accidental burns as well as an accidental house fire from sparks setting fire to a carpet or other item in the house.
A clean chimney and fireplace will allow you to enjoy your fireplace all season long. While these above tips may seem to cover everything, we also recommend that you check the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. These two devices are necessary and will alert you to any small detection of an accidental fire or carbon monoxide inside your home. By following all of these tips, you are ensuring that you and your family will be able to enjoy lots of time inside your home in front of the fire.
Chimney Inspection
Give me a call at 610-626-2439 if you’re not sure whether you need to worry about chimney maintenance. One of the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service can inspect your chimney to make sure it’s properly serviced each year.