7 Steps to Get your Fireplace Ready for Fall

Autumn is approaching, making now the best time to get your fireplace ready to use during the chilly months ahead. Preparing your system ensures it’s performing at its best this burning season. Before you light your first fire, be sure you’ve completed these seven steps.

1. Schedule a professional inspection.

We recommend that all chimneys be professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year, or about once every 80 fires. A thorough cleaning will remove any buildup of creosote, a highly flammable byproduct of burning wood, giving you a safer fireplace. Your technician will inspect for worn parts, cracks, leaks and other issues with your chimney and fireplace that may cause a safety hazard or loss of function.

Pro Tip: During the inspection, tell your technician about any changes you have noticed from your chimney, such as a different smell, a new draft, and any other abnormalities.

2. Check the chimney cap.

A chimney should be capped with wire-mesh sides to keep leaves, rain, birds, and debris out. Unwanted nests and other blockages are a leading cause of chimney fires. During an inspection, your CCP-certified chimney specialist will check your cap to be sure it’s in good condition and securely fitted. If it is damaged or missing, your specialist can repair or replace it.

3. Test the damper.

The damper regulates the airflow inside your chimney. It should be closed when you aren’t using your fireplace, and opened when you want to start a fire. Make sure the damper works by opening and closing it. You can generally tell when the damper is open if you can feel a breeze or see up the flue when you peek your head in.

4. Trim trees near the roof and chimney.

Prune any overhanging tree limbs that may be encroaching on your chimney. Tree branches present a fire hazard, can damage the cap during a storm, and restrict the proper draft of the chimney.

5. Stock up on seasoned firewood.

Choose dense or hardwood that’s been split and stored in a high and dry place for at least six months. Green or wet wood, and softwoods like pine, produce more creosote. Store wood in a covered space outdoors and away from your house so it doesn’t attract pests into your home.

6. Clear the clutter from around the fireplace.

When you don’t use your fireplace between seasons, clutter naturally tends to fill up the surrounding area. Before you start your first fire, be sure to clear the clutter away from the fireplace to avoid fire hazards. Make sure anything flammable, such as furniture and rugs, are a safe distance from your hearth.

7. Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors keep everyone in your home safe. Replace the batteries and run monthly tests to ensure the alarms will work when you need them.

Chimney Cleaning, Inspection, Service, and Repair in NH and MA

A proactive approach to fireplace and chimney maintenance ensures your system is ready for the upcoming burning season. If you need help, contact our CCP-certified team. We’re a full-service chimney company that delivers expertise, with an attention to detail and uncompromised customer service for all of your fireplace and chimney needs.

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What’s that Smell? Fireplace Odor Causes and Solutions

The smell of a burning fire is a welcomed scent on a cold New England night. But after using your hearth all winter, the hot, steamy days of summer can cause your fireplace to really stink. The CCP-certified professionals at Admiralty Chimney explain the cause of these foul odors and how to manage them.

Why does my fireplace smell?

One of the primary reasons your fireplace reeks in hot weather is from a combination of moisture and creosote (a tar-like byproduct of wood burning) that has saturated your chimney during heavy winter use. Creosote absorbs into the porous masonry construction inside your chimney, creating fireplace smells beyond the masonry’s surface. When warm, humid outside air enters the flue, it reacts with the acidity of the creosote. The result is a stench that can infiltrate your entire home.

Animal nests, trapped critters, built-up leaves and debris, and water within your chimney can also cause an unpleasant smell. And like creosote, these odors will intensify with summer’s heavy rains and high humidity levels.

What can I do to get rid of the smell?

Because there are a number of reasons why your system has an odor, start by scheduling a professional chimney inspection to determine the underlying cause or causes of the smell. After a thorough assessment your technician will devise a plan to eradicate those odors. When your fireplace isn’t in use, close the glass doors and damper to minimize the smell from seeping into your living space. You can manage future odors by performing regular chimney care including:

• Repairing your masonry. All masonry chimneys are porous, allowing water to penetrate the surface. Professional masonry repair will fix cracks, leaks, and mortar damage, eliminating the number of entry spots for water to creep in.

• Waterproofing your chimney. One of the most effective ways to put a barrier between moisture and your masonry is to have it professionally waterproofed. When applied correctly, the waterproof barrier will be effective for 10 years.

• Scheduling professional cleanings and inspections. We recommend annual chimney cleanings and inspections to check for damage and deposits. If you use your chimney frequently, it may need to be cleaned more often, as excessive creosote buildup can lead to a chimney fire.

• Removing ashes at the end of the season. You don’t have to remove ashes after every fire, but do need to shovel them out at the end of the season. Be sure to use a non-flammable container to dispose of the ashes.

• Installing a chimney cap. Caps are an essential tool for your chimney. They keep moisture at bay and prevent drafts and odors from finding their way down your chimney. Chimney caps also prevent critters from turning your chimney into their nesting spot (and possibly their final resting place).

Chimney Cleaning, Inspection, Service, and Repair in NH and MA

Summer is a great time to schedule your annual chimney cleaning and safety inspection. We’ll clean and assess the condition of your system so you can be ready for the cool days of fall. Contact us today for your appointment.

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5 Summertime Chimney Myths

Did you know there are several myths about fireplaces and chimneys that have been passed from homeowner to homeowner? We’ve heard many of these tales over our years of service. Here are five misconceptions about chimney ownership and summer maintenance that you should know:

Myth #1 - I didn’t use my fireplace this winter so I don’t need a cleaning and inspection this summer.

Even if you haven’t used your fireplace, it’s still important to have your chimney system inspected and serviced before you burn another fire. Cracks could have formed in the masonry, causing structural damage; moisture inside your chimney system could have created a number of issues; and animal nests could be inside your flue, creating dangerous blockages.

Myth #2 - Now that my fireplace is closed up for the season, I can forget about it until next fall.

While your fireplace might be taking a much-needed break after a busy burning season, the critters in your yard are very busy and on the prowl, looking for a place to shelter. A chimney without a cap is like hanging a “vacancy” sign to birds, racoons, and even squirrels to hunker down and build nests inside your chimney.

Myth #3 - Cleaning my chimney at the end of winter prevents bad smells.

The wet, humid air of summer that comes down your chimney brings with it odors from excess moisture, residual creosote trapped in porous bricks and mortar, animal remains, or outside debris. While a chimney cleaning is the best method to remove odor-causing debris and soot, there are other processes to help prevent that campy fireplace smell, such as waterproofing, replacing your damper, or installing a glass door.

Myth #4 - Leaving the damper open cools my home.

An open damper actually delivers hot outside air straight down your chimney and into your room, forcing your air conditioner to work harder to compensate for the constantly flow of warm air. This in turn leaves you with an overworked cooling system and higher utility bills.

Pro Tip: Even closed dampers can create drafts. If your damper has been damaged by water, animals, or has lost its seal due to age, it may be time for a replacement. Contact our CCP-certified chimney specialists to learn the benefits of a new damper.

Myth #5 - Metal liners don’t require cleaning.

While metal liners require less maintenance, they still need periodic cleaning. Creosote and other corrosive combustion gases can accumulate and cause blockages, regardless of its composition. Also, many liner warranties can be voided without annual chimney inspections.

Chimney Cleaning, Inspection, Service, and Repair in NH and MA

Whether we’re performing an inspection, sweeping a chimney, or installing a cap, the CCP-certified chimney experts can make your chimney system safe and enjoyable to use. Let us help you with your chimney needs. Contact us today.

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