chimney tips

Who doesn’t love sitting by a warm fireplace all bundled up when it’s below freezing outside?  If you’re going to be using your fireplace, chimney, and chimney cover for the first time in your home, you should take a look at these safety precautions before getting toasty by lighting the fire.

Safety Precautions for Your Fireplace and Chimney

Inspection

It’s vital to have a professional take a look at your fireplace on the inside before you begin making fires.  A proper inspector will be on the lookout for birds’ nests, sticks, and other loose remains. The outside chimney cover and chimney liner should also be checked for safety.  If there is any blockage, smoke will back up and clog the airways. 

We at Fireside Chimney Supplies are experts of all things chimneys. With the fall well under way and Winter approaching it is important to take the proper steps to keep your chimney and fireplace running smoothly. A chimney that is not maintained can cause unnecessary health risks and even fires. Neglected chimneys accumulate creosote, a combustible byproduct of charred wood, along their walls. If you add that to a high internal flue temperature you got yourself a recipe for a potential chimney fire.

While it still isn't too bad outside you want to take the proper steps to make sure your chimney and fireplace are ready to go for the winter. There would be no worse way to spend your winter finding out that you can't use your chimney because of an animal getting stuck in the chimney or high level of creosotes.

We got the lowdown and the information you need to make sure your fireplace is safe and running properly this winter!

1. Don't use a regular vacuum for cleaning ash! A regular vacuum is not safe for cleaning ash from the hearth of the fireplace. Even if the ash seems cooled, it is not uncommon for a burning clinker to be lingering hours or even days after. Cleaning the ash is important to make sure you have a good burn and also to get the allergens and smell of the ash out of the air. having a huge buildup of ash can impede airflow. What you need is an ash vacuum that is designed with a metal interior made for cleaning up ash.
2. Burn the right wood! Burning the right wood is key to having a pleasurable experience out of your fireplace. You should only burn seasoned wood as opposed to green wood. Green wood has a lot more moisture and thus won't burn as thoroughly, creating more soot and creosote. Also make sure to burn hardwoods, no soft woods. Hardwoods like oak and maple deliver more heat than their lighter counterparts.
3. Avoid spewing embers! Make sure your fireplace has