How to Prep Your Fireplace for the Cold Season

October 15th, 2014  |  Home Insurance

Now that fall is in full force and effect and the long term forecast continues to take a dip, it’s time to get things in order at home to prepare for the cold season – and its best to get things taken care of sooner rather than later before the bulk of homeowners are booking appointments with service providers and buying supplies for fall maintenance.

One thing you need that will need some TLC prior to use is your fireplace. Whether you have a traditional wood burning fireplace or a gas fireplace, performing seasonal maintenance is essential to ensure its safe to use. The following outlines essential tips for ensuring your fireplace is safe to use for the upcoming winter. 

Tips for Prepping your Wood Burning Fireplace

Wood burning fireplaces have their own unique set of maintenance needs. Because of the nature of these fireplaces, it’s vital that you keep up with yearly maintenance to reduce the odds of an unexpected fire from occurring. Here are the tasks homeowners need to take to get their fireplace ready for the winter:

• Hire a chimney sweep to clean out your fireplace before using it.
• Inspect you fireplace for damage in the interior and exterior.
• Inspect the chimney cap – replace it if it’s damaged or missing.
• Check your fireplace tools to make sure they are in good conditions.
• Make sure you have good quality firewood.

To be completely sure that your fireplace is safe, it’s advisable to hire a professional to perform the maintenance. This way you can have peace of mind in knowing that all maintenance and repairs (if necessary) are done correctly. 

Learn more about fireplace safety here: Are you Ready for a Cozy Night by the Fire?

Tips for Prepping your Gas Fireplace

Maintenance for a gas fireplace is completely different than with traditional fireplaces. But, much like with other fireplaces, your best option is to leave the maintenance to a professional. 

• Have a certified technician provide the regular maintenance on your fireplace. Often they can service your furnace during the same appointment. 
• Have the pilot inspected and cleaned. Get it lit if necessary.
• Inspect the exterior of the fireplace for issues.
• Replace the batteries in the remote (if applicable).
• Set the temperature setting to meet your comfort level.

Learn more about Gas Fireplace Safety

Following these tips will ensure that your fireplace is ready for winter and ensure you stay toasty warm even when it’s freezing outside.