Chimney Safety Tips

10 tips for a safety chimney and to avoid expensive repairs

1. Have a licensed inspector check your heating system at least once a year for leaks in vents, pipes, flues, and chimneys and to make sure the system is operating correctly.
2. Leave your fireplace damper open until you're sure the fire is out. Avoid dampering down the flue to make your fire burn more slowly.
3. Have your chimney cleaned annually by a professional. Because, in a woodburning system, incomplete combustion results in unburned residue, which rises in the chimney as part of the smoke. This residue—called creosote—is deposited on the inside of the chimney walls, presenting a major fire hazard to the home. A chimney professional can clean the inside of your chimney to eliminate these dangers.
4. Burn only seasoned hardwoods. The use of unseasoned wood can create "cool" smoke and a weak draft. Under these conditions, the smoke condenses and adheres to the chimney interior, forming highly flammable creosote. A buildup of creosote is highly combustible and can result in a chimney fire. Never burn cardboard, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
5. Check walls for excessive heat. If the wall is very hot, it could be a sign of improper installation of the chimney or stove pipe. Consult a certified chimney sweep right away.
6. Gas logs produce a lot of water vapor when they are burning, which can cause mold and mildew, leading to respiratory problems. If you burn gas logs, it's a good idea to have a CO detector, which can be picked up at any home-improvement chain store. Carbon Monoxide is colorless, odorless tasteless and highly toxic.
7. Protect the outside of your house. Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet from your house. Remove branches hanging above chimney, flues or vents.
8. Protect floors and walls from heat and sparks. Keep combustibles safely away from your appliance. Always use a properly fitting screen for your fireplace.
9. Never tamper with or try to by-pass the furnace safety switch. It is designed to protect you by shutting down the furnace when a malfunction occurs.
10. Install a rain cap. A rain cap should be installed on top of all metal and masonry chimneys. Rain can damage metal fireboxes and dampers on unprotected chimneys. It can also erode mortar joints, allowing the chimney to leak flue gases into the home and cause the home to become structurally unsound. A chimney without a proper spark arrestor may permit airborn embers to ignite shingles, leaves, trees, or grass. That's why every chimney needs a chimney cap with a spark arrestor for maximum safety and spark protection. A stainless steel chimney cap gives lifetime protection from moisture damage, keeps out critters, and protects against sparks.

Other safety tips

• Do not bank fires or close dampers to prolong burning
• Burn properly aged wood, not green wood
• Burn fires hot to minimize creosote buildup
• Regularly check the outside parts of your chimney and any connection points for any visible damage
• Have your chimney annually inspected by a professional for any structural damage, and cleaned as needed