As the days get colder, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your fireplace for the winter. The warm hearth is the heart of the home as it offers a cozy ambiance when the snow falls. Before using your fireplace, you will want to make sure it is safe as fireplaces are related to 42% of heating-related house fires.
For fireplaces for sale in Pittsburgh and tips on winterizing your fireplace, Ed’s Woodshed is where to go! They suggest the following to ensure your fireplace is safe for use:
Chimneys should be swept at least once a year to remove any soot or debris that has built up. For this, you will want to hire a professional chimney sweep before using your fireplace for the first time in the winter. Be sure to let the chimney sweep know about any abnormalities you may notice like an odd smell or new draft.
Also, check your chimney structure and lining for any cracks, loose bricks, deterioration, or missing mortar. Any of these damages pose a safety risk. You’ll want to also make sure your chimney is properly attached to your home!
Capping your chimney should be the next step you do in winterizing your fireplace. By replacing or repairing a missing or damaged cap, you are preventing birds, rain, squirrels, leaves or debris from entering your home through the chimney.
The damper is a valve that regulates the airflow inside of the chimney. Take some time to make sure it is working properly before using your fireplace.
The gasket is up next – spend some time taking care of gasket sealing the door, the glass door itself, and ash dump. Inspect and replace these pieces as necessary. If these pieces aren’t working properly, the fire could get too much oxygen which can create an over-fire condition.
If your fireplace has a blower, thoroughly clean it before using your fireplace. Since most fireplaces don’t have filters, you will want to clean it to prevent any potential buildup.
The last thing you should do to ready your fireplace is to replace the batteries of any smoke and or carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Test the alarms to make sure they are working right.
For more information about fireplaces for sale in Pittsburgh, contact Ed’s Woodshed in Bridgeville to receive full-service assistance on winterizing your fireplace. Ed’s Woodshed has been serving the Pittsburgh area its high-quality fireplaces for over 35 years. Call Ed’s Woodshed at 412-257-0492 for your electric fireplace purchase!
