Prepping Your Fireplace And Chimney For Use

The changing of the leaves in Tennessee from green to a blaze of colors signals the arrival of fall. Cooler nights and the use of your fireplace are just around the corner. Winter’s cold embrace and the constant use of your fireplace mean prepping your fireplace and chimney for use. Here are some valuable tips for having your chimney in great condition when you need it.

Make Sure Your Chimney and Fireplace are Inspected and Cleaned

Having your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned by a qualified chimney sweep service is crucial to the reliability of your chimney, as it stands like a tower of warmth in the icy weather. Even if you are not aware, an unseen process happens each time you burn wood in your fireplace. Chimney sweeps have specialized tools and cleaners to remove creosote from your chimney.

Each occurrence of wood burning in your fireplace brings with it a buildup of a highly flammable substance called creosote. If ignored, creosote buildup will inevitably lead to a chimney fire. There are other unseen issues, such as a blockage inside your chimney. Clumps of debris made from things like leaves, trash, and needles or wildlife nests can force toxic smoke and carbon monoxide to be regurgitated into your home. That is why it is essential to have your fireplace and chimney inspected to ensure that no blockages exist and do not endanger your family.

An added bonus to having a clean hearth is that it also operates at a higher level of efficiency than a fireplace that has let creosote and soot accumulate over the years. It means that a fire will be easier to light and will last longer in those months when winter reaches out with its icy finger and taps you on the shoulder.

During an inspection, an experienced chimney sweep may discover structural issues that threaten the chimney’s structural integrity and address them before they become a problem. One of the most significant issues that occurs with your chimney is weathering; if it lacks a chimney cap or isn’t maintained properly, it may develop cracks from the freeze-thaw cycle, meaning the bricks and mortar in your fireplace expand and contract, causing cracks, breaks, and loose bricks, which will lead to the collapse of your fireplace. So, having your chimney and fireplace inspected not only makes your home safer, but it will also protect your bank account from expensive repairs.

Inspect Your Chimney for Signs of Damage

As we previously mentioned, the weather can be unforgiving to your chimney, and it will yield signs of its demise as it deteriorates. You may be able to see some of the telltale signs of a deteriorating chimney on your own. Things like cracks, loose bricks, mortar that has worn away, and white powder on the exterior of your chimney. While it may be difficult for you to see some of these signs, a professional chimney sweep will spot them immediately.

Have Your Chimney Liner Inspected

Your chimney’s liner is a vital piece of its construction. It contains high heat and protects your home’s structure, such as timbers in the attic, from becoming kindling in a roaring house fire. If your chimney liner becomes perforated, it can let dangerous fumes seep through the walls and into open spaces, possibly making your loved ones ill.

What Can You Do to Prepare Your Fireplace and Chimney for Use?

There are several steps you can take to help prepare your fireplace and chimney for winter.

Remove Ashes

If you have started using your fireplace again, but haven’t cleared old ashes, then you need to before frequent use. Wait at least 24 hours after your last fireplace use before attempting to clean out the ashes. There is a possibility hot embers lie buried in the ash, waiting for their chance to strike you. A metal pan and shovel are a traditional way to clean the fireplace; for a more modern approach, use a shop-vac to suck up all the stray ashes. When you’re done collecting ashes, you can turn them into something useful, like putting them around plants to improve the soil’s alkalinity or using them as a barrier to keep insects from crawling under shed doors or around vegetables to dissuade hungry ants. Ashes also make excellent jewelry cleaners, scrubbing away unwanted grime.

Make Sure Components Work

Check things like the damper to make sure it opens and closes, or make sure that the glass doors on the fireplace can shut completely. 

Have a Chimney Cap Installed

While it’s not strictly a DIY project, taking the initiative to have a chimney cap installed will extend the life of your chimney. 

Let A-1 Chimney Specialist Prepare Your Fireplace and Chimney for Use

Let our CISA-certified chimney sweeps inspect your fireplace and chimney before the pall of winter falls upon us. We will schedule a time to inspect and repair your fireplace. You can trust us to address any issues with your chimney promptly and without disrupting your household. So, if you want a cozy winter sanctuary in front of your fireplace, we are the clear choice in Tullahoma and Winchester, Tennessee.