Preparing Your Masonry Chimney For Cold Weather

With cold weather upon us, it is important to ensure that your chimney is safe for use throughout the winter months. There are many steps you can take to prepare, all of which will keep your chimney in good shape and ready to use. Nothing is more important than the safety of your home and family, and following these tips will give you peace of mind while allowing you to enjoy your fireplace to its fullest potential.

  • Get Inspected: Getting a professional in to clean and inspect your chimney is vital in maintaining the health of your fireplace. Experts know exactly what and where to clean while using the appropriate tools. They can also look for any needed repairs and will clear out excess debris or animal nests that may be forming blockages that are causing improper air flow. Most importantly, they will remove creosote build-up. Creosote forms as your chimney are put to use and it is highly flammable. Getting it out significantly reduces your risk of having a house fire.

 

  • Address Needed Repairs: Once you know what needs to be fixed, make sure all of those things are taken care of before starting a fire. Cracks and other openings will cause your chimney to run much less efficiently and could cause even more damage in the long run if left alone. This will lead to a lot of wasted time and expense in the future. Hire a professional to check out your damages to ensure all issues are properly addressed.

 

  • Clean Out Ashes: Make sure you are periodically cleaning the ashes out of your fireplace. Be certain that they are cooled down completely before removing. Then, take the proper steps to dispose of them, ensuring that they are not thrown any place where they could reignite. Many throw them in their garden, which can be very enriching for the soil.

 

  • Check The Chimney Cap: Your chimney cap keeps animals and other outside elements from entering and damaging your chimney. Make sure that it is in good condition and consider having it replaced if it is damaged. If you do not have a chimney cap, purchasing one would be a positive and necessary investment and will help to ensure that your chimney lasts a long time.

 

  • Check Smoke Detectors: Make certain that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in proper working order. During the night, many sleep through the first warning signs of a fire, making smoke detectors the only thing alerting you that there is an issue. Check yours today to ensure that everyone has sufficient time to escape, should a fire occur in your home.

SirVent Chimney and Venting Service have everything you need to get your fireplace ready for cold weather. Our experts are trained to offer advice and services based upon your needs. Give us a call today!

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