Our Company Blog

Lighting Up the Burning Season

Holiday season is approaching, kicking off that time of year where you will want to light your fireplace more often. Reminiscing with friends and family by a warm fire is an idyllic image, but be sure to take the proper precautions before building fires on a more frequent basis. If you have not been using your chimney throughout the warmer months and are getting ready to start that first fire, consider what extra steps should be taken to ensure a safe environment for you and your family.

Here are some tips to follow when kicking off your burning season.

• Clean your chimney. It is widely suggested that you get your chimney cleaned and inspected at least once a year. The beginning of burning season would be a great time to schedule this annual necessity. There will likely be a build-up of creosote and other residue from the past cold season that needs to be addressed. This debris often gets flaky throughout the warm months and becomes very prone to combust, increasing the risk of unwanted or uncontrollable fires within the home. Another reason cleaning is important is the likely accumulation of animal nests that have built up over the spring and summer seasons. These need to be cleared out before any fires are started, as they could block up your chimney and cause unwanted hazards when lighting a fire.
• Check out your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure your detectors are up-to-code and working properly. Making sure they can adequately warn you and your family members of any dangers in the air is critical before starting fires more frequently within the home.
• Remove any flammable materials/household items from the fireplace area. When you have not used your fireplace for months, it is easy to use it as a decoration holder or even as a storage area for your everyday items. If you are starting up fires on a regular basis it is time to remove these things and break any habits of using your fireplace as coat or shoe rack.
• Use seasoned wood. Using unseasoned or damp wood is not healthy for your home or fireplace. Also, the wood will burn more efficiently if it is in proper condition. Signs of seasoned wood are: the sound it makes (it should sound hollow), a darker color, and cracks throughout the wood.
• Keep your fire extinguisher close by. Know where your extinguisher is at all times and have it readily available when you light your first fire, just in case something goes wrong.

Consider these tips when starting up your first fire and keep them in mind throughout the season, as well. These are all great things to consider whenever any fire is lit to increase safety in your home. As the season progresses, be sure to consistently clear out the ashes in your fireplace and keep all of your fires well-managed with proper kindling and safety practices.

Olde Town Chimney Sweeps in Gloucester serves the Middle Peninsula area with professionally certified chimney technicians. Contact us today to learn more about your chimney, fireplace, and fire safety.

Old Homes and Chimney Codes

Old homes almost always come with at least one fireplace, and often people seek these homes due this added charm. If you are moving into a home with a fireplace or if you have not used your fireplace for an extended period of time, you may be anxious to put it to use and enjoy the comfort and warmth they bring to a home. Yet, before doing so it is important to get it checked out to ensure the safety standards are up-to-date. A certified inspector can assure you of any needed modifications, point out any safety concerns, and can offer advice on how to approach cleaning and then using your fireplace.

What To Look For

Here are some essentials that will need to be checked out to ensure that your chimney is up-to-date with the current codes and regulations.

1.  Mortar – If the mortar on your chimney is loose or cracked, it should be replaced before use. If the mortar is showing wear, it can cause your chimney to lean which is not ideal for any type of use. The worse the mortar gets, the more repair will be needed. If a chimney shows excessive signs of leaning or moving, it will become more essential to replace the chimney as whole, rather than merely patch up rough spots.
2. Chimney cap – A chimney cap is essential in keeping a chimney in good shape, so if you are without one, you should purchase one. A chimney cap helps prevent weather damage and proper use will ensure that any negative outside influences, such as rain, snow, and even birds, will steer clear of your chimney.
3. Exterior Air Supplies – It is sometimes recommended to install a device that brings air in from the outside to aid the fire and improve the chimney’s draft. Without a device of this nature, the fire will feed off of the air inside the home, making the whole process much less energy efficient.
4. Chimney Base – Make sure that the base of the chimney is up-to-date with modern regulations. It should be properly reinforced and free of any cracks.
5. Unrelated Obstructions – Especially if you are just purchasing the home, check for any obstructions that may interfere with proper chimney use, such as wires, cables, pipes, and things similar. Previous owners may not have used the chimney for its traditional purpose and worked around it to meet other needs that they had required. Such objects can cause dangerous interferences, should you choose to use the fireplace.

After Inspection

Always keep an open eye for any issues that might come up and ask your inspector what you should be looking for, as far as regular upkeep. To keep a fireplace working safely and properly, homeowners must be responsible for taking all of the necessary steps throughout their maintenance process. And remember to bring a professional in at least once a year to ensure all is well. Once your chimney has been cleared of all possible hazards, enjoy!

Olde Town Chimney Sweeps is experienced when it comes to identifying and solving all chimney & fireplace problems. If you live in an old home, make sure you call Olde Town for an inspection. The codes that were considered safe at the time of construction may not apply to today!