As temperatures begin to drop, many homeowners look forward to lighting their fireplaces for the first time of the winter season. But before you spark it on, it’s necessary to perform maintenance early in the season to ensure that any fireplace repairs are done before the climate drops. Here is a list of four steps to take before turning on your fireplace this season.

Get Your Fireplace Ready for Winter with These 4 Steps

1. Sweep the Chimney

It’s a good idea to have your chimney cleaned every year before it gets cold to remove soot and debris that accumulated last season. It’s important to remove creosote buildup, as it’s a highly flammable byproduct of burning wood. This way, you’ll have a fresh start when it’s time to light a fire, and you won’t have to worry about bad air quality or smoke filling the house. A professional fireplace repair team can assess your chimney and check for buildup. 

2. Get a Chimney Inspection

Hire a professional fireplace repair team to inspect your chimney and fireplace to ensure that its structure is solid and free of cracks. These technicians will assess the flue, chimney, damper, and mantel to ensure they’re functional and undamaged. It’s best to schedule a maintenance appointment early in the season in the case your chimney or fireplace requires repairs. 

3. Clean the Fireplace Blower

Circulating fireplaces contain blowers that use cool air from the room and heat it before sending the air back into the space to warm the area. Many of these systems don’t have filters, so it’s wise to clean them frequently by turning the blower off and vacuuming or wiping off the fan fins. Make sure to diligently remove dust to improve the indoor air quality.

4. Change Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm Batteries

Many homes have carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, but it’s common to forget to change the batteries each year. As you prepare to light up your fireplace, make sure to swap old batteries with new ones in each alarm around your home. This way, you’ll be alerted if there is an issue with your fireplace such as a backdraft sending smoke into your home.

The professional fireplace repair team at American Masonry & Chimney Corp, in Monroe County, NY, can inspect and repair your fireplace before winter arrives. The company has over 50 years of experience with fireplace and chimney inspections, installations, and maintenance. Call (585) 865-4170 to schedule a repair appointment or visit their website to see a list of their fireplace repair services.