Fall Fireplace Prep for Your DC Ranch Home

Winter is right around the corner – and the nights are certainly getting cooler. If you have a wood-burning fireplace in your DC Ranch home, it might be time to light your first cozy, crackling fire of the season. But before you do, you need to tackle these fireplace prep tasks.

Fall Fireplace Prep for Your DC Ranch Home

When it’s time to get your fireplace ready for winter, you can hire a professional or you can get it ready yourself using these tips:

Sweep the chimney
Check for damage
Inspect gasket materials and the damper
Clean the blower
Check the cap

Let’s take a closer look at each.

#1. Sweep the Chimney

This is a messy job, so you may want to hire a chimney sweep. The National Fire Protection Association says you should have the chimney swept at least once annually – but if you use your fireplace frequently this year, you may want to have it swept again in the spring.

#2. Check for Damage

Check the chimney’s structure and lining for cracks, loose bricks, missing mortar or any kind of deterioration. While it sounds impossible, look for water damage, too – if the cap malfunctioned during monsoon season, for example, there may be water damage inside the chimney or other parts of your fireplace.

#3. Inspect Gasket Materials and the Damper

Have a look at the gasket sealing the door and the ash dump. If the gaskets aren’t in good condition, the fires you build can get too much oxygen. Look at the damper, too – it’s the valve or plate that regulates air flow in the chimney. Make sure it’s working properly.

#4. Clean the Blower

Not all fireplaces have blowers, but many do. If yours has a blower, clean it thoroughly. This is really important because most blowers don’t have a filter. Soot and other materials can build up and become dangerous.

#5. Check the Cap

Your chimney cap keeps out rain, birds and rodents, leaves and other debris, so make sure it’s in good working order before you start using your fireplace. If your chimney cap is missing or damaged, you should replace it right away.

What About Outdoor Fireplaces?

Outdoor fireplaces, which are fairly common in DC Ranch homes, need the same kinds of care and maintenance that indoor fireplaces do. If you’re not up for the task, you can hire someone to inspect and maintain your chimney before you start using the fireplace. These can be messy, time-consuming jobs, so for many people, it makes sense to leave it to the experts.