In addition, you have no idea what’s been going on up there all summer. There could be leaves and bird’s nests and who knows what clogging up the works. You should have your chimney professionally cleaned once a year, and right now is the time to do it. This is not a do-it-yourself job, although you can clean your own fireplace, by shoveling or sweeping out all of the ashes, and then use a stiff brush to remove the soot from the sides.

And if you want to cut down on the buildup of creosote going forward, try to use only wood that has been seasoned. In other words, wood that was cut at least a year ago. Seasoned logs burn hotter and longer than recently cut wood, and that decreases the amount of creosote that is released.

If you have a natural gas fireplace, you’re going to want to make sure it is cleaned as well. A lot of dust has built up over summer, so make sure you remove the cover of the fireplace and vacuum it inside before turning it on, or some of that dust may catch fire.   Also, go outside and check your fireplace vent to make sure it’s clear of leaves and grass and little critters as well.

Keeping your gas fireplace clean, especially the fan that blows heat out from the firebox, will improve the efficiency of your unit, keep dust from being blown back into the room and reduce your heating costs.

No matter what you’re burning these days, don’t wait until you really want a fire to be ready for one. Fireplaces truly are one of those great assets that turn your house into a home!

See you around the neighborhood!