Preparing Your Fireplace and Chimney for Winter

Fireplaces are a beautiful addition to any home. Proving both warmth and a warm ambiance, they can help take the chill out even the coldest winter days and evenings. However, it's important to provide proper maintenance to both your fireplace and the chimney to assure that they will operate efficiently and safely.

Before the cold season arrives, take time to make sure your fireplace is clean of ash. This can be done through the cleanout door, which is usually located in the basement or on an outside wall. Cleaning ash is a messy job, so be sure to wear old clothing and place newspapers or a drop cloth around the area. First, open the cleanout door and mist the ash pit with water from a spray bottle. This will help reduce the dust cloud that will come when you begin to clean. Scoop the ashes into a bucket, then use a wire brush to loosen and remove the stubborn debris. Small amounts of ash are great for your compost pile, but you may need to inquire about other disposal options if you have a large quantity.

Next, inspect your flue and damper. Creosote buildup can be a fire hazard, as can birds nests, so it's important to make sure your flue is clear of objects and soot. From inside the house, open the flue damper and look up through the flue. If you can't see a shaft of light from above, it may mean that your flue is blocked. You will most likely need to hire a professional to clean your flue if this is the case.

If you can see light, you will only need to clean your chimney. First, hang a blanket at the fireplace opening to keep dust from entering the house. Then, use a chimney brush to clean the chimney from the roof. Scrub hard enough to remove soot but be sure not to damage the liner. You may need to add extensions to the chimney brush in order for it to reach the fireplace opening. Let the dust settle, then vacuum the fireplace floor.

Cleaning and inspecting your fireplace and chimney are both simple things that should be done at least twice per year, more often if you use your fireplace a lot. This simple upkeep will assure that your fireplace is working efficiently and that your home and family are safe from fire during this cold season.