Spring is just around the corner and many families are done using their fireplaces for this winter season. This is now the perfect time to close the chimney and fireplace till the arrival of fall. This is also a good time to carry out chimney repairs.
Rather than not using your fireplace at all, there are few steps to follow, which can make your chimney and fireplace instantly ready to use the next season.
Remove Any Used Firewood
First things first. If there is unused wood in fireplace and you have decided to close the fireplace, remove the wood and store in elsewhere. Because this wood can attract pests and rodents. Termites in your home are an expensive problem, and having unused firewood will provide them an excellent residence.
The best way to curb these problems is using up the wood. If the weather has not warmed up completely, you can use it to have a nice bonfire with your loved ones. If some of it remains unused, remember that dry firewood can cause a lot of potential problems.
Clean Your Fireplace
The second and the most significant step to close your fireplace for the season is to clean it. As a homeowner, you can do this part of chimney cleaning yourself, by removing any soot or ash residue from the fireplace. You should not use a vacuum cleaner for this job as this will cause the fine ash particles to go airborne. They will coat your furnishings and leave your clean home dirty with all the ash around. Even the latest vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters are unable to clear the mess associated with vacuuming ash.
In addition to removing all the fire remnants from your fireplace, you should also not ignore sweeping your chimney. A professional chimney sweep can access and clean those parts of your fireplace that are usually hard to reach. In no time it will be clean and ready to be closed for fires in the fall season.
Have Your Chimney Inspected
In addition to having your chimney swept, it is advised to get your chimney inspected thoroughly by professionals at least once a year, preferably in the spring season.
A chimney inspection is vital for the optimal performance of your chimney and fireplace. It is an excellent way to determine if there are any damages, or if your chimney has deteriorated over the year due to weathering effects.
Not just to fix any damages, a chimney inspection is also a preventive measure to avoid any unpleasant maintenance surprises. These may be detected before time, and get easily repaired before any big catastrophe happens.
Tightly Close Your Chimney Damper
We already follow this rule to close the damper when the fireplace is not in use, however, when you won’t be using the fireplace and chimney in summer, tightly closing the chimney damper is essential. One major drawback of leaving the damper open is significant energy loss. Cool air from your home will leak out through the damper, and allow warm air from outside to replace it inside. If you are interested in taking extra energy-saving steps, glass doors can be installed. They are known to seal the cool air in and warm air out.
This rule is irrelevant for gas fireplaces. For gas fireplaces, you should be leaving the damper open whether you are using the fireplace or not. So, it should be open even in spring and summer months.
Always Turn Off The Pilot Light
Turning off the pilot light is one easy way to save on energy costs for a gas fireplace. This method is useful if you are planning to not use your fireplace for an extended period. Since the light stays lit the entire time the unit is connected, it uses energy continuously. This will cost you additional money. Turning off your pilot light is also safe if you know you will not use your fireplace for an extended period.
By following these simple steps, you can relax and enjoy the sunny season. You also would not have to worry about fall maintenance lurking above your head. You will only have to get a chimney sweep service Columbia MD for fall and you will be all set to use it in winter.
