How to Prepare a Chimney for Winter (and Why You Need It)
When it comes to chimney sweeping, it’s hard not to imagine Dick Van Dyke singing and dancing and his unique interpretation of the Cockney accent striding in time on the rooftops of London at Mary Poppins.
And although the profession is no longer associated with orphans and child labor , chimney sweeps still exist . In fact, they play an important role in keeping the home safe by helping to reduce chimney fires, which average more than 20,000 per year according to the American Chimney Safety Institute (CSIA) .
But while a professional chimney cleaning and inspection is recommended once a year or roughly every 80 fires, there are many other things you can (and should) do to prepare your chimney for the winter season (in addition to professional cleaning). … Here’s what you need to know from two articles on BobVila.com .
Make sure there is a clear path for smoke
If you live somewhere among the trees, remove any branches directly above the chimney. “Not only do tree trunks pose a fire hazard, they can also restrict proper chimney draft and damage the hood,” writes Donna Boyle Schwartz.
Get rid of the ashes
Before using the fireplace again, make sure that all ash left over from the last use of the fireplace has been removed. “Clean the firebox once a week or whenever the ash is more than an inch deep,” says Schwartz. Either sweep or vacuum the ash (which should always cool completely at this stage) and throw it outside the home – ideally in a compost heap or garden bed, if available.
Stock up and store plenty of wood (if used in your fireplace).
Some bonfires burn cleaner than others, so take care of yourself this winter by purchasing everything you need in advance. Hardwoods like oak, maple and birch are preferred over softwoods like pine because they burn harder and last longer, Schwarz said . You can also use CSIA approved wood for your fireplace like Duraflame or Pres-to-Logs.
As Manasa Reddigari writes, dried twigs or twigs are the best (and safest) kindling, adding that cloth should be avoided as it emits a lot of smoke.
Speaking of wood, never burn treated lumber or painted wood, as this will generate hazardous fumes. Stacking firewood in your home may seem tempting, but Schwartz says it’s not a good idea as it can attract and / or introduce pests into the room.