The most enjoyable fireplaces are ones that are both safe and beautiful. Anderson’s Chimney Sweeps & Masonry Services of New Cumberland, PA, would like to share eight tips for making your fireplace more enjoyable for the winter and all year long.

Upgrade the look of your old, tired fireplace

• You have many options for enhancing the beauty of your fireplace and hearth area. Here are a few.
• A gorgeous fireplace surround made of brick, natural stone, marble, granite, wood or other handsome materials
• A new mantel that adds a touch of elegance and purpose
• Fancy LED lighting to showcase the fireplace
• A raised hearth
• A lovely set of fireplace tools
• Stylish storage bins for logs

Prepare your firewood

Cut logs typically need about six months to dry out. Plan for your winter fireplace wood needs during the summer so the firewood will have plenty of time to become seasoned for burning. Damp wood creates excess smoke and burns inefficiently. Smoke condenses in the chimney flue and becomes creosote, which is highly flammable and the cause of most reported chimney fires each year.

Check smoke detectors and CO monitors

It’s a good practice to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors once a year – even if you don’t think they need replacing.
Smoke detectors detect smoke that you can see; CO monitors detect carbon monoxide that you can’t see but could cause major health problems in people and pets.

Give your fireplace a proper cleaning

Scrub down the inside and outside of your fireplace with a mild cleaner and water. Remove ash and wood chips from the firebox, then vacuum the entire compartment.
Cleaning will make the fireplace look nicer while giving you the chance to spot early signs of cracking, decay and other types of damage.

Know what to do in case of fire

Every home should have a written escape and evacuation plan in the event of a fire, and the adults and older children in the home should be familiar with the plan. The National Fire Protection Association has a good web page on fire safety and disaster preparedness.

Upgrade the performance of your fireplace

If you use an open masonry fireplace that always underperforms, consider upgrading it with a powerful fireplace insert. These units fit into an existing fireplace and create more heat, work more efficiently and protect against downdrafts. Inserts can run on either gas or wood fuel.

Have your fireplace and chimney inspected

Before your fireplace starts getting regular use, it’s a smart idea to schedule an inspection by a qualified fireplace and chimney technician. The inspection will cover readily accessible areas of the system and alert you to early signs of problems so you can get them fixed right away.

Schedule chimney sweeping for wood-burning fireplaces

If your fireplace burns wood, you should have your chimney flue cleaned once a year. Chimney cleaning, or chimney sweeping, removes flammable creosote and obstruction-causing debris to help prevent chimney fires and the backup of toxic combustion gases.

The right solutions for all your fireplace and chimney needs

Anderson’s Chimney knows how to keep your fireplace and chimney clean and safe. We provide inspections, cleaning and all types of repair work performed by qualified, trained service technicians. Reach us by phone, or get in touch with our simple contact form.