As the cold weather and the holidays arrive many homeowners will again be using their fireplaces. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has recommendations to help keep your family safe and warm this winter.
5 Things Vital to Chimney/Fireplace Performance, Safety, and Longevity
1) Invest in Regular Maintenance
We’re starting with the easiest and possibly most important one: Invest in routine maintenance. Two main types:
Chimney Inspection – done every year to get professional, trained eyes on your chimney and appliance
Chimney Cleaning – done as needed to remove dangerous creosote, soot buildup, and blockages
2) Keep it Dry
Water is easily the biggest threat for chimneys of all types, whether they’re used often, rarely, or not at all. Year after year, your chimney is bombarded by wind and weather – including rain, sleet, and, depending on where you live, even snow. All that moisture can wear down masonry and metal chimneys over time, especially if they’re not properly protected against the elements.
· Invest in a quality chimney cap
· Keep your crown or chase cover in good shape and free of damage
· Make sure flashing is properly installed and secure
· Invest in waterproofing
3) Schedule Tuckpointing and Brick Repair/Replacement When Needed
If water or age does cause cracking mortar and spalling brick, the best thing you can do for your chimney is take care of repairs fast. Find an experienced professional that is able to deliver good looking and long-lasting results. The longer you leave cracks and damaged brick, the greater the damage will be when you finally address the issue.
4) Prevent Excessive Creosote Buildup
Creosote is one of the most dangerous aspects of woodburning. It’s a leading cause of chimney fires, and it’s also highly corrosive, which is why it needs to be removed as soon as it’s discovered.
How to prevent creosote accumulation:
· Only burn seasoned firewood in your fireplace or wood stove
· Build appropriately sized fires using the top-down method
· Make sure your appliance has adequate airflow
· Use your fireplace as designed
5) Remove Soot Stains
Everyone wants their fireplace to be an attractive focal point, not an eyesore – and you can help keep yours looking great by removing soot and smoke stains. Homeowners swear by all kinds of DIY methods and the internet is filled with a lot great suggestions. Try a few out and discover the one that best works for your fireplace.
