Most of us love the idea; a cold winter’s night, a cup of steaming hot chocolate, a crackling fire and someone to share it with. It is a beautiful dream, but without the proper care can turn into a nightmare. A nice warm fire is great as long as it is in the fireplace and not in the attic, walls or adjacent room. As winter tightens its icy grip more and more of us will be putting the old fireplace to work. To insure that we build memories and not regrets, here are six simple tips to help you enjoy your fireplace and keep your property safe at the same time.
1. Test your flue. Make sure it opens and closes properly. This is simple enough to check. First pull the cord/chain or move the lever that opens and closes the flue. You should be able to tell from the feel and sound whether it is in working order. The second step would be to lay on your back, wearing safety goggles, and watch the flue open and close. It should be secure in both positions and not prone to opening or closing by itself. If it seems to have a mind of its own, get an expert and get it fixed.
2. Make sure the chimney is clear of debris, bird’s nests and raccoons. You’ll need a good flashlight and those safety goggles again. With the flue open look up into the chimney. Hopefully it will be clear and open all the way. If there are any blockages or any kind, make sure they get cleaned out prior to use.
3. Hire a chimney sweep to clean out any blockages or buildup along the chimney walls. If you’ve got any kind of buildup or blockage, save yourself the mess, headache and hassle of trying to do it yourself and get a chimney sweep. You’ll be glad you did. I speak from experience.
4. Burn good hard wood and don’t over fill the firebox. Soft woods produce more smoke, soot and leave more deposits in your chimney. Soft wood also burns faster and takes more time tending. Unfortunately most of us only have access to pine so that’s what we use. It does smell great, but it also requires more care for your fireplace over time.
5. Warm up the flue by burning some rolled up newspaper before you start the fire. Smoke won’t draft up a cold chimney. If you’ve ever filled your room with smoke, chances are that this is why. Remember the flue must be opened and if you’ll warm the chimney first, your fire will start easier and burn better.
6. Don’t trust the fire. If an accident occurs, a small fire is controllable and can be extinguished easily, a large one cannot. So never leave a burning fire to go shopping, for a walk or out to dinner. The best and safest fires are those most closely watched.
Regardless of the size, location or age of a property, proper care and use of a fireplace should be one of your top concerns. If it’s in your home, you need to make sure it is taken care of. If an investment property has a fireplace you should notify the residents of these simple guidelines and follow up to make sure they understand. I know it sounds simple, but it is often the little things like this that get ignored with tragic consequences.
Do your check up first, then start a fire and snuggle up with someone you love. Good luck with your real estate. We’re happy to help.