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Fireplace and Chimney Preparation Checklist

Medium 20 items · 1 hour
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testuser Published 2 weeks ago Updated 1 week ago
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A wood fireplace or stove that sat cold all summer needs a look before its first fire. This list covers what to check, what to buy and what to leave to a professional.

Book a chimney sweep before you want the fire. Sweeps tend to get busy once the weather turns cold, and a flue is easiest to inspect while it is not in use.

Keep a working smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm on every floor, and test them before the first fire. If anything in this list looks wrong when you check it, do not light the fire until it has been looked at.

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  1. Book a qualified chimney sweep — Ask for the flue to be swept and inspected before the season's first fire.
  2. Look up how often your fuel and appliance need sweeping — Your stove manual or the sweep can tell you.
  3. Check the chimney cap or top from the ground — Look for a missing cap, loose bricks or nesting material. Do not climb onto the roof.
  4. Check the damper opens and closes fully
  5. Look inside the firebox for cracks or loose bricks — Use a flashlight.
  6. Check the stove door seals and glass — A worn seal lets in too much air.
  7. Remove old ashes once they are fully cold — Use a metal bucket with a lid and keep it outside, away from the house.
  8. Clean the glass door — Use a cleaner made for the purpose.
  9. Test smoke alarms on every floor — Replace batteries if the alarm chirps or fails the test.
  10. Test carbon monoxide alarms — Fit one in the room with the fireplace and near sleeping areas.
  11. Check you have a fire extinguisher and know where it is
  12. Clear the area around the fireplace — Move rugs, furniture, curtains and anything flammable back from it.
  13. Check the fire screen or guard is in place — Use it whenever there are children or pets around.
  14. Buy or order seasoned firewood — Ask the seller how long it has been drying. Wet wood smokes and builds up deposits in the flue.
  15. Store the firewood off the ground and covered on top — Keep it a short distance from the house walls.
  16. Stock kindling and fire starters — Never use gasoline or other accelerants.
  17. Get a set of fireplace tools and heat-proof gloves
  18. Open the damper and light a small first fire — Watch that smoke goes up the chimney and not into the room.
  19. Never leave a burning fire unattended — Make sure the fire is out before going to bed or leaving the house.
  20. Tell everyone in the house where the extinguisher is and what to do in a fire
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