Do you have a fireplace in your home or cabin around Alexandria, Virginia? To keep your family safe and to protect your property from damage, it’s imperative that you prepare it for winter. Without doing so, you increase the risk of fire and other disastrous consequences. Follow these tips to winterize your fireplace so you can enjoy warm comfort without worry:

Winterizing a Gas-Burning Fireplace

It’s critical that you clean the blower if your fireplace has one. As dust and dirt accumulate on the blower’s blades, its balance will change. As a result, it’ll prematurely wear the bearings down. The dust and dirt also insulate the motor, which prevents it from cooling and can cause it to seize up. Replace the batteries to the remote transmitters and receiver if needed. You should also test any smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace their batteries.

If you don’t know how to handle these tasks, contact a professional. You should schedule a chimney inspection before using your fireplace for the first time this fall. Professional maintenance and cleaning will help preserve your fireplace for decades to come. It’ll also help to keep your family and property safe.

Winterizing a Wood-Burning Fireplace

Before igniting your first fire of the season, make sure to have your chimney cleaned. Creosote is leftover fuel that hasn’t burned, and it’s the leading cause of fires in wood-burning fireplaces. During your fireplace inspection, you should have gaskets checked and replaced. You should also have the blower cleaned if your fireplace has one. Unlike a furnace, a fireplace’s blower doesn’t include a filter to prevent dust and dirt buildup. Also, don’t forget to have broken or worn brick lining replaced.

Do you need to winterize your fireplace still? Contact Rooftop Chimney Sweeps for professional chimney and fireplace care. We’ll help to make sure your fireplace works effectively, efficiently and safely all winter.