Chimney Checklist
It’s still very hot outside as summer refuses to die. With record highs every day and your AC running, you’re not thinking about your chimney and fireplace. It’s just sitting there, going unused, not bothering anybody…
Now’s the time to use this quick checklist and get your chimney ready for burn season.
Summertime is an important time for the maintenance and upkeep on your chimney and fireplace, as keeping them clean and protected now will lead to a successful heating experience in the fall and winter.
Here’s your checklist of things to do with your chimney during these dog days of summer:
- Clean the hearth
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but a lot of people forget to clean out the ash, sweep, and dust their hearth. You’re going to want to wear gloves and old clothes because this job gets dirty! Scoop out the ashes with an ash shovel. Use a small broom and dustpan to sweep out the rest. Next, you’re going to want to use your favorite gentle cleaner and scrubber to get the creosote up and give everything a final wipe off and vacuum. - Close the damper tight
A lot of people who have fireplaces forget to close their dampers. This means there is essentially a hole in your house letting cool air out! Be sure to close the damper tight after you’re done using your fireplace for the season. - Turn off pilot light (gas)
If you’re using a gas fireplace, you should know if you have a standing pilot light and make sure it’s out for the summer. - Replace the decorations!
If that fireplace was just sitting there going unused, you may have used that space to decorate. Move the plants from around the hearth and get ready for your chimney to host stockings and nutcrackers instead.
- Call Southern Chimneys to remove creosote
Before giving those hands and knees too much of a workout, you honestly probably won’t be able to get all that creosote out that’s been storing up all winter. Even if you do, you certainly won’t be able to get aaaall up in it. That’s when you need to give a professional chimney service like Southern Chimneys a call. - Call Southern Chimneys to check or install a chimney cap
It’s always a very wet summer in the southeast. Chimney caps keep out things like moisture and animals that can wind up in your chimney at summertime.
Consider making end-of-summer the time for your yearly chimney inspection!
It’s always smart to get a jump on things and schedule your chimney and fireplace work and inspections long before the weather cools down. Now’s the time to clean up, decorate, and get things inspected so you can enjoy your living room, clean and safe, all year long.
This post first appeared on https://southernchimneys.com