When you bought your home, it’s unlikely that you were you handed a how-to guide on keeping your chimney and fireplace safe. The fact is, the beautiful fireplace you enjoy snuggling in front of with family and friends during the colder months needs proper TLC throughout the winter season (and beyond!).
This 5-step guide will serve you well in helping you to do everything you possibly can to avoid potential problems.
Step #1
Use only dry wood in your fireplace or wood stove. Green wood holds moisture, and actually creates cooler fires and more potential problems down the road.
Step #2
Avoid creosote buildup. Creosote is your chimney’s enemy and will prevent you from enjoying a satisfying evening in front of the fireplace. You probably already know that as wood in your fireplace or wood stove burns, smoke moves up and out your chimney. What you may not be aware of is this: The smoke leaves behind a nasty substance that clings to the walls. That substance is called creosote. It’s dark, and maybe it’s the shiny object on the wall, and maybe it’s flaky. It might be colored, or puffy. Or maybe it’s all those things. When it accumulates, it can cause a fire in your chimney. Keep your chimney clean by scheduling a chimney sweeping today.
Step #3
Avoid the temptation to toss scraps of paper or pieces of cardboard into your beautiful fire. In fact, nothing belongs in your fireplace except dry wood! Instead, keep an attractive basket near your fireplace for toss-away items like these.
Step #4
Invest in a fireplace screen. It protects you from sparks that may fly out of the fireplace and possibly catch fire in the room where you’re relaxing.
Step #5
If you suspect any problems with your chimney, stop using your fireplace until you can call in an expert chimney sweep. Unless you’re a trained chimney sweep yourself, skip Do-It-Yourself chimney cleaning. This is a job for an expert.
We’re Fiddler on the Roof Chimney Service. We’ve been inspecting, cleaning, and repairing chimneys for homes like yours for decades. Trust our team of experts to keep your chimney safe, and contact us. Then, sit back and enjoy your fireplace!
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