Fireplaces – Autumn Steps For Winter Use

Autumn is a beautiful time of year. Summer heat turns into cooler temperatures and less humidity. Trees show off fall colors in all their glory. Autumn is also the time to prepare for winter and if your home has a working fireplace now is the time to prepare it for winter use. I’ll review these steps later but I would like to mention a couple overlooked items first.

First, there are three fireplace/chimney components that I look at simultaneously because of a similar feature. The damper, chimney cap and an ash dump with a door on the exterior chimney wall all can allow outside air into the home. The damper leads directly to the chimney flue and allows smoke to exit the home. Close it when not in use, it allows hot air in during summer months and cold air in during the winter if left open. The chimney cap’s primary purpose is to keep pests and precipitation out of the chimney and act as a spark guard. It also somewhat controls air flow and some come with fans to assist with smoke removal. The ash dump door opens to the outside near and below the firebox. If this door is not closed properly air flow from below the firebox floor can make a fire burn too hot. Too much heat can cause cracks in the chimney flue. To the contrary, a low heat fire causes creosote buildup usually through the use of unseasoned (damp) wood.
Second, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors and combined units. Smoke detectors come wired and unwired (or battery operated) and as a combined smoke detector/carbon monoxide unit. Battery operated units work independently and can be surface mounted very easily. Wired units, as the name suggests, are wired into the homes electrical system. A wired unit that still contains a battery uses the battery as a backup in the case of a power outage. Carbon monoxide monitors also come as a battery operated or wired unit. There are also models that one can simply plug in, but since outlets are generally close to floor level, these are not as efficient. C O levels should not exceed 9ppm (parts per million).
These two devices are, literally, life savers. Make sure they are in working order at all times but especially during high fireplace usage months.
There are many articles online that address preparation for winter fireplace use. Most include the same items such as clean the firebox, hire a chimney sweep annually, check the fireplace and chimney for cracks and other damages, and in the case of a gas fireplace, check that the valve and pilot light work properly. Here are two good articles;
WikiHow, https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-Your-Fireplace-for-Winter
Dummies, https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/how-to-prepare-your-fireplace-or-woodstove-for-winter/
Stay cozy this winter and check out new screens, tools and accessories at http://fireplaceflair.com/ .