It’s about to be Fall in a month! Heaters across Massachusetts will be turned on for the season, and fireplaces will be full of spark and light. Along with the rest of your essential winter items, fireplaces should be prepped and ready for the season. Here are four easy steps to prepare your fireplace for Fall weather:
Remove Debris and Ash
The first step is to clean out any ash and any other debris out of the fireplace. Remove the log grate and completely clean it as well. It isn’t something you’re going to want to do, but it will help you to start the season with a beautiful, clean space.
Check The Firebrick
Search the fireplace for any cracked or loose firebrick and repair anything that needs it. To fix them, take the loose mortar out with a scoring tool and clean it with a vacuum or brush. After that, brush water into the brick joints.
Check The Chimney and Flue
Check your chimney and flue for any obstructions – leaves, sticks, etc, and remove them. Professionals recommend that you have a chimney inspected every year by a certified chimney sweep to figure out if there is a large amount of creosote buildup. If a layer of over 1/8 has built up, it should be removed to lessen the chance of a chimney fire.
Get Rid Of Extra Moisture
Start a small fire to dry out and get rid of any extra moisture, which can make the firebrick become damaged or form creosote, along with other damages to the fireplace. If you think that your fireplace has a lot of moisture or if you are planning on using a brand new new fireplace, do these steps to help dry it out:
- Get two logs and use only 1/3 of one log
- Wait between 2-4 days and then use the remainder of that log
- Wait between another 2-4 days and use the whole second log
- Give it another few days, and the fireplace will be ready to use
After all of these steps, you’ll be all set to use your fireplace all fall and winter long. Make sure you use dry and seasoned wood (wood that should be cut and dried for about 6-12 months) to burn and to remember to clean out the ash regularly. You should clean it when the ash gets to the bottom of the fireplace grate.
Contact New England Hearth & Home
New England Hearth & Home can help you get ready for Fall. Whether you are looking to get a new fireplace installed, or need help getting your existing one ready for the season, we can be here for you! Give us a call at 781-562-0771 for more information.