How to Get Your Fireplace Ready for Winter

We may earn revenue from the products useable on this Thomas Nelson Page and participate in affiliate programme . Learn More ›

One of the great pleasure of winter is cuddle up in front of the fireplace , enjoy the warmth and beauty of a crackling blaze . But before you touch lucifer to ignition , verify that your open fireplace and lamp chimney are in tip - top condition . short maintenance can affect the efficiency and lifetime of a open fireplace , and can also moderate to star sign fires , carbon monoxide intoxication , and other grievous conditions . To keep your open fireplace working swimmingly and safely for years to come , follow these rule of thumb for produce it quick for the season .

1. Schedule an annual inspection.

All chimney should be inspected and cleaned by achimney cleaning professionalat least once a yr , or about once every 80 flaming . The chimney master will try out easily approachable function of the lamp chimney , including the firebox and muffler ; watch for damage to brick or the fluke lining ; remove any occlusion ; and clean out hoard lampblack and creosote , an oily and extremely inflammable by-product of burning wood . In addition , a slam or examiner can ensure the lamp chimney cap and confirm that it ’s in estimable condition .

2. Check for cracks and damaged bricks.

Along with ordering a professional inspection , open fireplace owner should check often for cleft , loose joint , and defects of the firebricks inside the open fireplace and on the floor of the fireside , and examine the exterior Freemasonry for damage . charter aprofessional masonto do any fixture . Never test to indemnify firebrick with regular trench mortar , as the intermixture can not endure up to high heat energy .

3. Inspect the chimney cap and damper.

see to it the muffler to check that there ’s no dust preventing it from porta and closing . When it ’s open , you should experience a niggling routine of air travel and you should see more light than you do when it ’s shut ( you may need a flashlight to check ) . If you ’re comfortable venturing onto the cap , you might be able to check thechimney capto make trusted that it ’s firmly attached , free of rust , and in good term — otherwise , leave this to the pros .

To assess the ceiling , it may be possible to do a visual check from the ground with binoculars or from a window inside the menage . The pileus should have protective masking to prevent sparks from blowing out of the lamp chimney and stimulate the roof or nearby leaves to catch fervency , and keep bird , squirrel , bats , and other pests out of the lamp chimney .

4. Clear away tree limbs.

Prune any overhanging Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree limbsthat may be entrench on the chimney , or call in a master to take care of this for you . Not only do tree limbs present a fervency hazard , they can also restrict the proper draft of the lamp chimney and damage the cap .

5. Clear out ashes.

Clean out the firebox once a week , or whenever ash is more than an column inch deep . coal can remain hot for up to 3 days , so confirm that the contents of the firebox are whole dusty before you start . slam or vacuum up the inhuman ash tree and dispose of them out of doors , or repurpose them . forest ash are ready to hand in the garden , and in other house applications — don’t waste them .

6. Improve energy efficiency by installing heatproof glass.

Installing heatproof glass doors can meliorate theenergy efficiency of your fireplace . They can also prevent sparks from escaping the hearth and damage the beleaguer floor . If your open fireplace or wood - burning stove already has chicken feed doors , cleanse them with a newspaper towel and aglass fireplace door cleanerthat is peculiarly give voice to tackle creosote and soot . The Elvis in acetum is also effective at breaking down creosote and mystify it off the glass .

7. Polish brass fireplace surrounds.

Clean a brass fireplace surround naturally by spreading a thin film of tomato paste , tomato plant sauce , or ketchup on it . Then , let it sit down for an hour before clean the smorgasbord off with hot , soapy H2O . instead , you could use a just - quality commercial brass polish , likeHope ’s Brass Polish , and a soft microfiber textile . forefend using highly harsh scouring material , metal - bristle light touch , or sword wool .

8. Stock up on wood.

Be sure to opt forgood - quality firewood , and store it away from the house to forfend attracting pesterer . The amount of wood you should grease one’s palms bet on how you use your fireplace . You ’ll just need the occasional big money of Sir Henry Joseph Wood ( 6 to 8 piece ) if you plan on snuggling in front of a fervour for a few hours from metre to time . For these occasional fire , you’re able to also burn especially made fireplace logs;Duraflameis the best - known brand of this kind of logarithm .

For more unconstipated Sir Henry Wood - burn stove or fireplace manipulation , consider purchase a face cord of Mrs. Henry Wood ( a 4 - by-8 - foot stack ) , which could last all season long . If you apply your hearth constantly or use it to append your home ’s heat , you may need to buywood by the cord(128 cubic feet ) . Never burn address or paint wood , both of which produce dangerous fumes .

9. Give your gas fireplace a good going-over.

If you have agas fireplace , it ’s a beneficial idea to reexamine the maintenance and cleansing guidelines in the proprietor ’s manual at the start of the season . jibe any vents to ensure they ’re light ; make certain the pilot twinkle is on ; then dust off the log , lining , and burners and check them for chap , interchange any damage components . If you use your accelerator pedal fireplace regularly , coiffure for automatic fuel deliveries so your hearth never break cold .

10. Check wires and batteries on your electric fireplace.

As with a accelerator pedal fireplace , consult the owner ’s manual of arms before you commence clean an electrical fireplace . At a minimum , curb all the wire to verify none are rub or break , and verify that all connecter are securely fastened . Be sure to dust the fireplace , inside and out , before you employ it for the first time in the season and on a regular basis thereafter . Finally , test out the remote control : If the open fireplace does n’t come out , you probably need to supersede the batteries in the remote control or the recipient .

11. Get your tools in order.

The typicalfireplace instrument setincludes tongs , a poker , a brush , and a digger , beautifully set in a matching outdoor stage . If you already own a set , sprinkle it off , , verify the tools are in good condition , and tighten up any share that screw together . If you ’re in the market for young tools , opt for the sturdiest you’re able to find . While curing are visually appealing — some high - close fireplace tools look like works of art , with price tag to couple — you may be capable to find hard tools that are more comfortable to manage if you purchase them individually .

The tools , however , are just the beginning : If you have a wood - burning hearth , make trusted you have a sturdyfireplace grateto hold the logs . A grating protects the fireplace floor from the heat of the fire , allow for air to circulate around the logs , and helps the fire incinerate safely and effectively . Fireplace glovesare useful for avoiding splinters from firewood and protecting hand from the heat .

Storefireplace matchesor anextra - long rechargeable lighternearby so you do n’t have to go searching for them when you ’re trying to embark on a fire . Finally , always keep afire extinguisheron hand for exigency , and be sure to check it annually .

three pairs of feet with wool socks on table in front of roaring fireplace

Photo: istockphoto.com

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

Whether you ’re trade or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . teach why we moot this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to delay on budget .

Ladder resting on roof