While you look forward to enjoying indoor flames when it’s cold out, preparing your fireplace for fall will ensure safety and efficiency. With some help from trusted chimney sweeps, you can rest assured that your fireplace will be ready when the weather cools down. Tips follow on how to prep your fireplace for fall.
Chimney CheckIf you have not scheduled a chimney inspection since last winter, doing so is an essential step in preparing for the cold season. Every chimney should be inspected annually. Even if the heating appliance is no longer used, fire safety experts say a yearly chimney inspection is vital.
A chimney check is needed because the masonry structures are vulnerable to damage. The most common problem is moisture. Every exterior chimney component is built to help keep moisture out, yet each of those features can become damaged and allow moisture in. As a structural element, your chimney needs maintenance. Without ongoing upkeep, the masonry can deteriorate, cause the chimney to lean, and create a safety hazard because of the potential for a chimney collapse.
Another danger associated with neglected chimneys is that combustible materials could create blockage in the flue. Each year in the U.S., thousands of homeowners experience devastating damage caused by chimney fires. Tragically, there is always some loss of life, as well. Debris in the chimney is the leading cause of chimney fires.
As part of a chimney inspection, your fireplace will also be checked. A gas fireplace inspection is especially important. Each year, a professional should check your gas fireplace for safety reasons. The various components of the fireplace are checked during an inspection, including the pilot light, burners, ignition, gas supply pipe, and valve.
Sweep the ChimneyIf you have a wood-burning fireplace, creosote buildup is inevitable. With each fire burned, deposits of the tar-like combustion materials stick to the sides of the chimney flue. Gradually, layers of creosote thicken. Without regular chimney cleaning, the creosote will obstruct the chimney. The chimney draft will be affected, and toxic fumes will enter your home instead of going out of the chimney.
Schedule chimney cleaning as a priority because a smoky fireplace can be deadly. Carbon monoxide is among the gases created by incomplete combustion. Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, and symptomless.
Add fresh batteries to smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. These devices are essential to help ensure the safety of your home and family when you use your fireplace. If you have a gas fireplace, add fresh batteries to the remote-control devices.
For excellent fireplace services provided by experienced CSIA-certified chimney sweeps in Alpharetta GA, contact Chimney Solutions. Beat the rush by prepping your fireplace for fall while it’s still summer. Qualified chimney technicians tend to be busiest in the seasons when fireplaces are put to good use. To get ready for fall, give our professionals at Chimney Solutions a call at 770-255-1300 today.
