Summer Fireplace Maintenance to Consider

The summer season is the ideal time to address all your chimney's needs so you can prepare your fireplace for winter use. Here are some fireplace maintenance tasks to get done now before the weather turns cool.

Deodorizing

Fireplaces with wood-burning units provide ample heat in the winter, but a by-product of burning fires to heat the home is smelly residue. The residue is caused by creosote, a natural oily by-product of burning wood that's highly flammable and contains several chemicals.

So it also leaves behind residual odors. The odors get dispersed into the air when you turn your air conditioning system on in the warmer months, allowing the humid air to spread smoky and stale odors into the home.

To eliminate these odors, have your fireplace deodorized. Your chimney specialist will use a special commercial cleaning solution to eradicate stains and debris that cause the smoky smells. You can also use baking soda or another deodorizer inside your fireplace in the summer months to keep the air cleaner in your home.

Prevent stinky fireplace odors in the future by having a professional inspect your chimney flue. Your flue likely needs to be resealed to prevent foul air from coming down the unit and into your home. When you light a fire in the winter, always leave a window cracked for proper airflow to keep odors at bay.

Brick Replacement

Now is the time to address crumbling or cracking brick issues in your chimney or surrounding mantle. Brick is commonly used in designing fireplaces because the material is cost-effective, attractive, and resistant to high heat. However, over time brick will deteriorate and cause an aesthetic and functional problem with your chimney.

Your chimney specialist will check the mantel, fireplace unit, and the chimney for signs of brick wear. Inspections include the part of your chimney that extends from the roof or side of your home. Brick can be removed in sections for replacement, or if your chimney is in bad condition all over, you can have the entire unit upgraded with modern, durable brick.

Thorough Cleaning

During the winter season, you remove ashes and other fire debris regularly. In the off-season, your fireplace still needs to be cleaned so you can ready the unit for winter use. The firebox, flue, damper, and other areas of your fireplace will be inspected for creosote and soot buildup and cleaned entirely.

The cleaning process typically involves an inspection as well. Your chimney specialist will check the cap on your roof to make sure no animal nests or other matter are stuck in the cap. In addition, they will make sure your damper and firebox are free of corrosion and debris and check the airflow quality in your fireplace and chimney to ensure safe winter use.

As a general rule, have your fireplace cleaned and inspected at least once a year, or as recommended by your chimney specialist.

Chimney Relining

If you have an older chimney, the inner part of the fireplace may not be lined, which means the brick inside the chimney is directly exposed to heat and flames. Lining is essential for trapping toxins released by fires and protecting the core of your chimney's fireplace.

If your chimney has a lining in it, have your chimney specialist inspect the lining. They can clean it to remove creosote and other chemical matter, as well as check to see if any tears or other damages are present. If your chimney's lining is faulty, replace it for safer fireplace use in the winter.

Your fireplace is an essential part of your home. To ensure safe wood burning this coming winter season, maintain your wood burner in the summer. Our team of specialists at Chimneys Unlimited are able to repair any parts of your fireplace that are worn or dated so your fireplace always functions safely. Call us today to schedule an appointment.