It’s getting cold outside, which means now’s a good time to warm up your fireplace. The following tips will help you prepare your fireplace for winter and the fantastic memories that are made in front of it.
Your wood burning fireplace should be thoroughly cleaned, and your chimney should be swept every year. This ensures no creosote will present a fire hazard to your home. You should also inspect your brickwork to ensure the lining is in good condition. Any deteriorated or broken brick should be replaced to avoid damage to the steel structure underneath.
Finally, inspect your gasket, glass doors and blower if you have one. If any of these are broken, they should be replaced or repaired before you light your first fire of the season.
Gas burning fireplaces should be inspected by a qualified technician to ensure the airways surrounding the pilot and main burners are functioning properly. During the inspection, your technician should also clean the blower, so it’s free of dust, pet hair and other debris that may be interfering with proper airflow.
If your fireplace is also equipped with a remote ignition system, you’ll want to inspect the batteries and make sure the receiver is working properly. Finally, test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Should a problem arise, they are your first line of defense in safely evacuating your family.
For both gas and wood burning fireplaces, make sure the front is clean and free of combustible materials. Wood should be stored a safe distance away from the fireplace, and any loose carpeting and materials, such as Christmas cards, decorative elements, etc., should be removed before a fire is lit within the hearth.
We encourage you to contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing at 317.852.2958 for more information about how to prepare your fireplace for winter. We’ll be happy to provide more tips and suggestions to keep your family comfortable in front of your hearth this season.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Rawpixel/Shutterstock”
