How to Prepare Your Fireplace for the Fall
September 22, 2022
The weather is starting to get cooler, so now is the time to prepare your fireplace for the fall. There is nothing like the roar of a crackling fire when it’s cold outside, but it’s essential to ensure that your fireplace is safe to use. If you haven’t used your fireplace since last winter, it needs to be cleaned and inspected so that you can use it safely this winter.
Why Your Chimney Needs Cleaning
Sometimes homeowners wonder if their chimney needs cleaning every fall. The short answer to that is yes. Before you start a fire in the fireplace for the first time in months, it’s essential to have a professional clean the chimney. Having the chimney cleaned will:
- Get rid of built-up creosote and eliminate the potential for a dangerous fire.
- Maintain the air quality in your home by ensuring toxic fumes don’t drift down the chimney into the house.
- Keep the chimney in the best working order.
- Find and repair any damage to the chimney that has happened throughout the spring and summer.
Get The Right Firewood
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you should stock up on firewood in the late summer and early fall. By the time the snow falls, finding the right wood that will burn cleanly and not cause excessive creosote buildup will be challenging. Always burn hardwood that has been dried for at least six months. Never burn green wood in a wood-burning fireplace.
Get The Gas Fireplace Inspected
Even if you have a gas fireplace, you still need to get that fireplace inspected. A professional should ensure that the blower is clean and working correctly. They should also check the entire unit for cracks or other damage so that you don’t end up with a potentially serious gas leak.
Make Safety A Priority
Safety should always be the highest priority when you have a fireplace. Make sure you have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your home. Change the batteries of your existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and get them tested to ensure they are working properly.
If you have children or pets, install hearth guards or fireplace screens so they don’t get too close to the fireplace. Store fireplace tools safely so that children can’t get into them and injure themselves.
Contact Anderson Fireplace
Preparing your fireplace for the fall doesn’t take much, but getting ready to enjoy that fireplace starts with a professional cleaning and safety inspection. Whether your fireplace is wood-burning or gas, call Anderson Fireplace today to schedule a professional cleaning and inspection. Get your fireplace ready for those chilly fall days and snowy winter nights.
