As the wintery cold weather settles in, thoughts of cozy nights by a crackling fire are upon us. Before using your fireplace for the first time this season, it is important to make sure that it is clean and in good working order.
The following steps can ensure the safety of you and your home. A professional chimney cleaner, fireplace installer, or you the homeowner can do this work:
• Inspect your chimney from the outside to make sure a chimney cap is present and in good repair. Ensure that there is no bird’s nest or buildup of debris on the cap. You should also look for tree limbs above or near the chimney as well as crumbling or missing mortar and bricks.
• Inside your home, use a flashlight to inspect the flue damper to make sure it opens, closes and seals properly. You should also look for cracked bricks or missing mortar on the fireplace’s surround, hearth, and firebox, as well as signs of moisture inside the firebox, which could indicate a faulty cap.
• While gas fireplaces are low-maintenance, you should still take time to inspect the glass doors for cracks or latch issues. Check that gas logs are in the proper position, test the igniter, and look for clogged burner holes.