FIREPLACE MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY

It's important to make sure that both your fireplace and chimney are safe throughout the season.  

If you have a fireplace and have never had it inspected or cleaned, you are playing with fire. Deterioration can occur to the interior of the chimney even when the chimney is not in use or has never been used. The inconsistent weather takes a toll on the masonry, too. When it comes to burning wood, a natural byproduct called creosote is notorious for building up, lining the flue-system. 

Creosote is highly flammable. If a fireplace burns hot enough and long enough it can reignite the creosote in the flue and start a chimney fire (for example, pouring gas on a fireplace fire to get it to burn, can cause the fire to super-heat, cracking flue-tiles). 

Chimney fires often burn higher up in the chimney’s flue system and if there are already cracks or holes from missing mortar in the flue system, the fire can spread to the structure of the house – deductive reasoning: fires that are not contained are not friendly fires. 

The safety of your chimney is dependent upon a few major factors, always ensure the safety and functionality of your chimney.

• Be sure that the damper is open so smoke can escape.
• Keep flammable materials at least three feet from the fireplace.
• Place a fireplace screen in front of the fireplace opening.
• Use a heavy duty grate, and stack the fire to avoid logs rolling out of the fireplace during burning use.
• Test your smoke detectors, and install fresh batteries.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in public areas on each floor of your home, such as hallways.
• Never burn colored paper such as magazines or wrapping paper.
• Don’t burn plastics; never burn painted, stained or treated wood – the fumes are poisonous.
• Don’t use your fireplace as an incinerator to burn pizza boxes, Christmas trees or stacks of paper or cardboard