Give your chimney a sweeping overview
Proper cleaning and regular inspections will help ensure safe operation this winter
My son had the TV set to the fireplace channel the other day — but for me, nothing beats the real thing. I love a great big fire on a dark winter’s night, especially after a particularly cold and snowy day on the job site.
Before you throw a log on the fire, have you given your chimney the TLC it needs to burn safely during the longest nights of the year? Don’t strike the match until it has been properly cleaned and inspected.
While it may be a little late to get your chimney inspected before Santa comes (don’t worry, kids — he’ll use the front door if he needs to), if your idea of a winter wonderland includes a crackling fire in the fireplace, you’ll want to read on.
CHIMNEY INSPECTION
When built right, chimneys are built to last. Many chimney problems are due to either the wrong materials, poor craftsmanship, or a combination of the two. Do a visual check of your chimney from the outside. Look for instances of crumbling brick, or missing mortar. These issues provide easy access for moisture to sneak in and wreak havoc on the internal systems of the chimney. Deteriorating mortar will need to be scraped out and replaced with new mortar. Proper flashing along the base where the roof meets the chimney is important, too. If not properly taken care of from the outside, your chimney can become a sponge for water and moisture. Like I said, if it has been built right, it will be built to last and any minor repairs should be generally inexpensive.
You want to focus your efforts on the internal workings of the chimney and fireplace to ensure it burns clean and safely. The fuel source of your fireplace will dictate which areas you need to pay attention to.
WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACES
I would get a traditional woodburning fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected every year without fail, especially if it gets a lot of use. Over time, the chimney will get coated in creosote, a highly flammable substance formed when you burn wood. A good cleaning will remove the creosote that’s built up and severely reduce the risk of combustion. A chimney fire burns hot — upwards of 2,000 F (1,093 C), and that’s more than enough to burn the house down in extreme cases.
Getting an inspection will ensure that all internal systems are still in good shape and working as they should. Cracked flues are a major hazard because it can allow soot to build up much more quickly, as well as allow heat and smoke to travel elsewhere throughout the home, instead of up and out of the chimney like you want.
A few days after you use the fireplace, sweep out the cold ashes — trying to clean up warm ashes is a fire hazard.
GAS-BURNING FIREPLACES
Just because a gas fireplace burns clean, doesn’t mean you can skimp on the maintenance. Animals may take up residence in your chimney and build nests, potentially blocking your flue. If any critters do take up refuge in your chimney, you’ll probably be able to hear them clawing, scratching, or crying. When the flue gets blocked, the chimney may not vent as it should, sending those dangerous fumes back into your home.
What do you do if you have an animal problem? First things first, don’t open the chimney damper to try to get them out. Believe me, it’s easier to get an animal out of your chimney than it is to get one that’s wreaking havoc throughout your home. Call in a pest control expert to safely and humanely remove the creature, then make a call to a chimney expert. Without reinforcing the entry point, you may wind up with more unwanted roommates taking up residence in your chimney. The most likely source of entry is a weak (or nonexistent) chimney cap.
Before you light that fire, always make sure your smoke detectors are in working order (do this even if you don’t use your fireplace). Keep your Christmas tree (and other flammable materials) at least three feet (91 centimetres) from your fireplace. Never leave a fire unattended. And if you’re not sure about the state of your chimney, stick with the fireplace channel until you can get it inspected.