Don’t wait to get your chimney ready for the cold winter weather. Your chimney can be a major fire hazard when winter hits, and you want to do everything you can to prevent fire from moving through the liner and then to the outside of your home. Here are two ways you can start preparing to use your chimney in the winter!
Get Firewood
You should only use dry, seasoned firewood in your fireplace. Too much moisture allows for creosote to build up in the chimney faster. And creosote is a highly flammable substance that can allow a chimney fire to start and potentially to spread to the outside of your home.
You may not know whether you can trust that the firewood you buy has been given enough time to dry. If you get the firewood early on in the year, you can ensure that it’s well-seasoned! Gather your firewood today from a trustworthy source, and make sure it is stacked properly with plenty of airflow.
Schedule an Inspection and Cleaning
Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your chimney is to schedule an inspection and cleaning. Chimney cleaning from professional technicians clears out the creosote that can raise your chances of a fire.
And a chimney inspection will identify issues that make it even more likely that your home will be a major fire risk. Structural issues with the outside of the chimney may help a chimney fire to spread to the outside of the home. And problems with the damper or chimney cap may allow for water damage, or can force smoke to come through the living space in your home. Call in professional chimney techs this summer and get peace of mind through the winter.
2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. is your source for chimney inspections and chimney cleaning in St. Paul, MN. Call us today!