Gearing Up For Winter: How to Prepare Your Fireplace

Fireplaces are a beautiful asset to your home. But, before you light your gas or wood-burning fireplace for the first time this season, there are a few things you need to do.

Stay safe and gear up for winter with these steps:

1 – Prepare your home before lighting your fireplace

Clear any clutter from around the fireplace

Clutter happens. Especially between cold seasons when you aren’t using your fireplace. When winter returns, you’ll need to clear the clutter so that you can avoid fire hazards. Be sure to move (or get rid of) any objects in front of the fireplace before you light your first fire. Also, be sure to make sure that any furniture or rugs are a safe distance away.

Inspect the fireplace gasket

Most gas & wood fireplaces have a gasket around the door of the fireplace to help the smoke & gas out of your home and excess oxygen out of the fire. If your fireplace has a gasket, inspect it once a year to make sure that it is intact. If it looks damaged, consult a professional to see if it should be replaced.

Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are always important, but they are especially important in seasons when you are using your fireplace and other heating systems. Keep your home & family safe by replacing the batteries and running tests to make sure the alarms will work when you need them.

2 – Check your chimney or flue

Check the chimney or flue cap

A flue is the interior part of the chimney that extends to the roof and allows the smoke or gas to exit. Vented gas fireplaces require a flue in order to be safely installed in your home. These won’t have chimneys encasing them (and they may be out the side of the home instead of through the roof), but they still act as they would if they were placed inside a chimney.

Your chimney or flue should be capped to keep leaves, rain, birds, and debris out. If your chimney cap is damaged or missing, make sure to replace it before winter arrives.

Inspect chimney or flue for damage

Check your chimney or flue for damage every year or so. Cracks, loose bricks, damaged mortar, and other problems can occur over time as a result of freezing and thawing weather patterns. You’ll also want to check inside the flue for creosote build-up. These issues can interfere with the function of your chimney, so if you see them, be sure to get them fixed before winter.

Check damper function

The damper is a valve or plate that regulates the airflow inside the chimney. Typically, it opens or closes via a push rod, rotary control, or pull chain. The damper should be closed when you aren’t using your fireplace, and it should be open when you want to start a fire. Make sure your damper still works by opening and closing it.

Get a formal inspection

Hire a chimney sweep to clean your chimney at least once a year even if no repairs are needed. Soot & creosote build-up can put you at risk of a chimney fire and keep your fireplace from working as it should. Even a small amount of creosote from burning wood can be a fire hazard, so it’s important to take this step if you have a wood-burning fireplace.

Bonus Tip: Did you know that you can use your gas fireplace even when the power is out? Learn how in our guide to safely using them without power!

3 – Arrange your annual inspection

It’s best to have a professional inspect your wood-burning or gas fireplace at least once a year. They will look for gas leaks, worn parts, and other issues or safety hazards. They’ll then provide you with a report describing anything that needs to be repaired or replaced.

Being proactive with your fireplace maintenance can help you avoid costly repair bills later on. Schedule your fireplace inspection today!