It may just feel like yesterday that you were lighting the first fire of the year. However, warmer weather is on the way, and it is almost time to close up your fireplace for the season! Getting your fireplace cleaned up after the winter is part of a smart home maintenance routine. This routine makes it easier to get everything ready in the fall. Blue Ridge Chimney Services would like to share with you a few tips on how to close out your fireplace for the spring and summer. Following these steps will help you make sure you have taken care of all of the things you need to do.
Remove the ashes from the firebox.
You should always wait at least 72 hours after the last fire has been extinguished, before you begin to remove the ashes. With a metal shovel, scoop the ashes into a metal bucket that has a lid. Once the ashes have been removed, make sure the lid is securely closed. Afterwards, place the bucket outside on a non-combustible surface. You can dump the ashes into the trash after a couple of days. You want to give any smoldering ashes enough time to completely die out.
Schedule your annual chimney maintenance service appointment.
According to KPC News, the spring is the perfect time to have your chimney professionally swept and inspected. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweeps at Blue Ridge Chimney Services are trained and experienced! They will remove all of the creosote and soot that has built up inside your chimney over the winter. In doing this, we make sure to get rid of that fire hazard! It will also reduce sour smells coming from your chimney during the humid summer days. Also, we’ll take a look to see if the cold weather damaged your chimney during our professional inspection. If we find any problems, we will give you a written evaluation and estimate of the necessary repair work.
Close the damper.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you will want to close the damper for the spring and summer months. This will help your home be more energy efficient. If the damper is open, air conditioned air can escape outside through the chimney, which makes you run your air conditioner longer than necessary.
Clean the fireplace doors.
To remove the soot off of your glass fireplace doors, spray them with fireplace cleaner and wipe away with a damp soft cloth. You can then wipe down the doors with a dry soft cloth to avoid streaks.
After following these steps, your fireplace will be in good shape and ready to go in the fall. If you live in the Shenandoah Valley, contact us at Blue Ridge Chimney Services to schedule an appointment for your annual chimney sweeping and inspection!