4 Fireplace and Chimney Care Tips to Avoid Winter Problems

Many people were not ready for the winter season because it came earlier than originally anticipated. Although most homes have heating systems that help combat the cold, a great many households still heavily rely on their fireplaces to provide heat and warmth throughout the home. 

Winters have become increasingly colder in the past years. The key to keeping the cold out of the house is the proper maintenance of your fireplace. Here are a few tips to ensure that your fireplace continues to do its job at keeping your home warm and cozy.

5 Fireplace And Chimney Care Tips To Avoid Winter Problems

If your home is reliant on your fireplace for warmth and comfort during the cold winter months, it is important that you keep your chimney and fireplace in good working condition. 

1 – Check Your Chimney Cap

Summertime is the best time of the year to inspect your chimney cap for damage. However, if it is already past fall and you have not had it inspected, it is never too late to do it. The care of your chimney and fireplace should start with the top of your chimney. There are more chances that this part of the chimney will have sustained more damage than the fireplace or the chimney itself, so it is wise to check on it before any other part. Check to see if any birds have built any nests on your chimney cap, or if it has sustained any water damage, and fix these problems before you light a fire below.

2 – Keep Your Firebox Clean

It will come as no surprise that the firebox is one of the dirtiest parts of the chimney. Although the chimney cap should be the part that you check first, the firebox should be the part that you clean the most. There will be remnants of previous fires left in the firebox, including any chemical debris from anything other than wood that you put into the fire. It is essential that you clean your firebox after every fire to ensure that it doesn’t get too dirty.

3 – Make Sure Your Chimney Liner Isn’t Worn Out

Chimney liners may become a fire hazard if they develop cracks and holes over time. Having regular checks on your chimney liner will help avoid chimney fires as well as let you know when it is time to replace it. Homeowners often are unaware of damages to their chimney liner, so having a professional check your chimney before lighting a fire in your fireplace is crucial to the safety of your home.

4 – Watch Out For The Effects Of Winter

There are effects of winter that can specifically affect your chimney. For example, the Stack Effect and the constant freezing and thawing can do a number on its components. The Stack Effect refers to how uneven temperatures and air pressure work inside your chimney. It may cause a backdraft of smoke or cold air to enter your home if you aren’t careful. 

Conclusion

Before you start decorating your home for the holidays, it is important to do a thorough check on your chimney first. Check for damage on its inner lining and on the chimney cap before the winter season begins. If you do not know how to get started on this, there are companies that are purely dedicated to fixing masonry issues and maintaining these parts of your home.

At Red Robin Masonry, we understand that investment but also the stresses that come along with maintaining it. It’s often hard to find a tradesperson or contractor you can trust. If you are looking for masonry services in Toronto, give us a call, and we will see how we can best help you.