Sitting in front of your fireplace with a warm beverage surrounded by family and friends is one of the enduring images of winter in America. Fireplaces are a huge selling point for many homes, and keeping them in good working order can help add to the resale value of your home.

There are several things you can do yourself to maintain your fireplace if you’re comfortable working on the chimney. First, you should inspect the chimney cap. Make sure there is one or a screen in place and it is in good working order. A cap or screen will prevent rodents and birds from making your home into their home as the weather turns colder.

Your chimney is a conduit to the outside, and, as such, it could be the source of substantial heat loss. Inspect your damper or louver. If you are missing one or it is in bad repair, it will serve as an open window, drawing in cold air from the outside and allowing the air you have paid to heat to escape out the chimney.

If you have chimney doors, keep them shut. If they are open or in bad shape, they could leak, leading to drafts. A new product on the market is a chimney balloon, which can be inserted easily. Like any balloon, it will inflate to fill the available space, reducing the amount of draft, serving almost as a portable damper. Of course, when you plan to use your chimney, you’ll have to take the balloon down and store it properly.

One way to get piece of mind with your chimney is to have a professional chimney sweep come out to take a look. They can provide you with a detailed list of the work that needs to be done.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America does certify chimney sweeps, and it’s worth checking the credentials of your professionals. Online review sites also offer the opportunity to see how your professional has interacted with others in the past. Fall is the busy time for sweeps, so the earlier you can get on their schedule, the better off you’ll be.

Soot, debris and creosote can build up in the chimney, preventing good airflow and creating a fire hazard.

Creosote is a particularly dangerous substance because it is highly combustible, and thousands of fires happen each year because of poorly maintained chimneys. Chimneys in older homes can be particularly dangerous if they are not maintained properly.

Finally, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got fuel for your fireplace. Look for wood that has been seasoned or cured for at least a single season. Hard woods like elm, maple and oak will burn longer and hotter than soft woods like pine, birch and spruce. Store your firewood off the ground and stack it properly to allow air to circulate and reduce rot and mold.

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