Before using the fireplace, pay attention to these 5 points, and you can get twice the result with half the effort

Before using the fireplace, pay attention to these 5 points, and you can get twice the result with half the effort

1. Check the outside of the fireplace chimney

The initial assessment is made visually from the external stack of the fireplace chimney. Is it tilted? Are there broken bricks or masonry joints? Are there any cracks or holes? If your fireplace chimney is a factory made metal smoke pipe, you can look for corroded, stained or loose parts by visual inspection. If your fireplace chimney is exposed in the attic, be sure to inspect it.

2. Install or replace the fireplace chimney cap

Next, add a strong defensive measure to your fireplace maintenance: a good chimney cap can sometimes do more with less. It can effectively reduce the damage caused by water and wildlife to the chimney, rain and snow can directly enter the chimney of the fireplace without the chimney cap, and then freeze, causing expansion damage. Small wildlife can nest in chimneys, clogging up flues that would otherwise need to be clear and potentially introducing fleas, ticks, worms and other disease-causing pests into the home. Fireplace chimney caps with screens keep animals out while protecting the roof from embers and sparks.
3. Look for leaks or stains on the roof around your fireplace chimney

Inside the house, check the area around the chimney for stains or dampness. These can be caused by a malfunction around the chimney of a roof fireplace, or by a damaged flue lining. If you see signs of water damage around your fireplace chimney, call a chimney professional immediately.
4. Check fireplace flues for soot or disrepair

Open the cleaning door from the bottom of the flue located in the basement or outside the house. Use a small mirror and flashlight to look at the fireplace flue and look for accumulated soot as well as any cracks, holes, or separated parts. If in doubt, call a fireplace chimney professional for a good inspection and cleaning.
5. Make sure the fireplace is working properly

Check the brick in the fireplace for wear. Also check that the damper is still able to turn easily and work properly. Look at the smoke compartment above the damper to see if it has a build-up of soot. Again, if you see any of these signs, call a professional fireplace chimney maintainer for service.