Take care of your chimney and it will take care of you

As the temperatures across Arizona go down, many of us look to light up our fireplaces. Here are some timely tips to think about before you strike that first match or crank up the gas.

Perhaps the most important component of any fireplace is its chimney. For both wood burning and gas fireplaces, the chimney conducts smoke, gas, and particles away from our living space.

We asked Rosie Certified Partner Rebecca Derendal of Arizona Chimney and Air Ducts to share her insights on chimney care. Let’s look at the two basic fireplaces and focus on their respective chimneys.

Wood burning

With a wood burning fireplace, the chimney moves smoke, soot, creosote, and other particulates up to the atmosphere. Depending on the fuel source, or type of wood or synthetic logs you burn, the amount of residue that collects on the inside wall of the chimney will vary. Becky says the synthetic logs tend to deposit heavy amounts of creosote and other particulates on a chimney wall. This is because of the glue that is used to hold the essentially sawdust together.

Use these tips before you burn:

• Check the damper operation. You might want to use a glove or rag on your hand as you grab the lever because the dampers collect a lot of soot. The damper should open and close easily and hold in various positions.
• Check the structural integrity of the grate where the logs sit to be burned. The grates metal can deteriorate from the heat over time. Never burn the logs on the flat base of the fire box.
• Look up the chimney. Get a flashlight and shine it up the chimney. What you’re looking for is the amount of buildup on the chimney wall. If you see little fuzzy things that can build up and maybe even small chunks of buildup, get your chimney cleaned before you burn.
• Look outside at the top of your chimney to be sure the cap and spark arrester are in place. If you can’t climb up on your roof, try getting a pair of binoculars out to visually inspect the cap.
• If you have a blower unit on your fireplace, clean that out as dust can build up during the months it is not in use.

Gas burning

Gas burning fireplaces tend to be cleaner and require less maintenance than wood burning for sure. There are, however, steps to take before ignition take place.

Schedule a plumber to inspect the gas lines to the fireplace annually.

Check the condition of the blower fan. Make sure it operates cleanly.

Go outside and look at the top of the chimney or flue. Look to see the cap is in place correctly. Becky said their company has spent a lot of time cleaning debris from the chimney. Birds’ nests are a common blockage, so look for sticks, branches and nesting material in the chimney cap. Again, use binoculars or call a professional and stay safely on the ground.

If your gas fireplaces have a damper, check that its operation is smooth and unhindered.

Safety tips for all fireplaces

Caring for the condition of your chimney is a key factor in having a safe fireplace season. We would be remiss if we didn’t include some related safety tips for y’all.

• Make sure the area around the firebox is clear. Look to see if furniture has crept too close during the summer months.
• Check the condition of the spark screen. As those embers shoot out be sure they aren’t landing on something flammable.
• Look on the mantel. Is there anything on it that can be damaged by the heat. Plants, artwork or decorations might have been placed there during the months of no use.
• Make sure your smoke alarms and CO detectors are functioning properly. Check your city code to see what detectors are required in your area.

If you haven’t had your chimney inspected with in the last year or so, get it done by a professional. Having a flawed or dirty chimney can cause house fires and be deadly. Don’t turn that warm feeling of home and hearth into a disaster. The tips above are to insure a safe and fun fireplace season.