Fall has officially arrived. And with that comes the cold weather. As you switch over from your AC unit to the fireplace, it’s important to make sure that everything is in good order before you light that first fire. Take a look at these 3 tips for fireplace maintenance this fall season.
Whether you have a gas or wood burning fireplace, you should always clean up and conduct a personal inspection of the fireplace and surrounding area, hire a professional to perform an inspection, and schedule regular maintenance. If you do all of these things, it will help maintain your fireplace throughout the colder months as well as minimize any risk of malfunction.
Clean Up
As a first step, you should begin by cleaning the area around your fireplace as well as your fireplace itself. Think about removing any larger objects that may have been pushed in front of the fireplace throughout the summer. This can also include cleaning the exterior surfaces to clear them of any debris. If you have a wood burning fireplace, make sure you thoroughly clean the interior. Chimney cleaning is important to clear any soot and creosote that has built up over time, as this can become a fire hazard if not cleared. Don’t worry if you’re not equipped to perform any of this cleaning, you can hire a professional to clean for you!
Inspection
After or during your cleaning be sure to look out for anything that looks odd. For gas fireplaces, if any switches are damaged, glass cracked, or if anything is clogged be sure to make note of it. For wood burning fireplaces, make sure you check the blower and damper.
After you’ve done a personal inspection and made note of everything, it’s time to call in the Pros to conduct a professional inspection. Pros are equipped with the knowledge and tools to ensure that your fireplace is in good working order and operating safely. They can perform tests and repair anything that is needed before you have your first fire of the year.
Regular Maintenance
Scheduling regular maintenance is a must if you want to maintain your fireplace. Regardless of how often you use your fireplace, you should be scheduling annual inspections and maintenance. Anything can happen at any time so it’s important to have a Pro check all aspects of your fireplace from the interior unit, smoke detectors, and the exterior such as your chimney. Keeping an eye on these elements will help your fireplace run more efficiently, provide cleaner air, and help to prevent the risk of a house fire.
It’s important to note that while these are helpful tips to consider before turning your fireplace on for the first time this year, these tips should be practiced regularly. If you have any questions about fireplace safety, you can chat with a local, verified Pro today! Get the most out of your fireplace this fall by following these 3 tips to help maintain your fireplace.
