It is the time of year when we start to use the fireplace. A crackling fire is the picture of a cozy home but it can also be a home hazard. Keeping an eye on a few key items inside and out will make sure your wood-burning fireplace is safe and ready to go for the burning season. Here is a checklist of things to look for on the outside of your fireplace:
- A chimney cap; this keeps out rain, animals away and helps prevents hot embers from landing on the roof.
- Bird’s nest or any type of debris buildup on the cap.
- Tree limbs that hang above or near the chimney.
- Crumbling and/or missing mortar and bricks.
- A chimney that rises at least 2 feet above where it exits the roof.
- A flue liner that is visible above the chimney crown.
- The chimney is plumb and not leaning to one side or the other.
- Roof flashing that is tight against the chimney.
- A flue damper that opens, closes, and seals properly.
- Daylight can be seen through the flue, no combustible material such as animal nests or other foreign objects in the flue.
- There are no cracked bricks or missing mortar in the fireplace surround, hearth, and firebox.
- No moisture can be seen inside the firebox, which could mean a faulty cap.