Before Your First Fire: A Chimney Checklist for Canton Homeowners

A cozy fire is one of the best parts of fall in Canton. Before you light the first one, here's what to check, why a yearly chimney inspection matters, and what to know about gas logs.

A fire on a cool fall night is one of my favorite things about living in Canton. Before you light the first one of the season, take a few minutes to make sure your fireplace and chimney are ready.

Schedule an inspection every year

The National Fire Protection Association recommends having chimneys, fireplaces, and vents inspected once a year. A certified chimney sweep checks for creosote buildup, cracks in the flue, and anything blocking the chimney, and handles any cleaning that's needed at the same visit.

Chimney sweeps book up quickly once the weather turns, so call in late summer or early fall if you can.

What you can check yourself

• Open the damper and look up the flue with a flashlight. You should see daylight or the cap, not leaves, nests, or debris.
• Look for black, flaky, or tar-like buildup inside the firebox and flue. That's creosote, and it's what fuels chimney fires.
• Step outside and look at the top of the chimney. A cap with a screen keeps out rain, squirrels, and birds. If you don't have one, it's worth adding.
• Check the outside of the chimney for cracked mortar or loose bricks.
• Make sure the damper opens and closes smoothly.

Gas logs need attention too

Gas logs don't create creosote, but they still need a yearly check of the gas connection, the pilot, and the venting. Vented gas logs need the damper open whenever they're in use, which is why many of those fireplaces have a clamp that holds the damper open. If you have a gas fireplace, make sure there's a working carbon monoxide detector nearby.

Burn smart

• Burn dry, seasoned hardwood. Wet wood makes more smoke and more creosote.
• Never burn wrapping paper, cardboard, or trash. They burn hot and send sparks up the chimney.
• Use a fireplace screen, and keep anything flammable at least 3 feet from the fireplace.
• Store firewood away from the house and up off the ground. A woodpile against the house is an open invitation for termites.
• Let ashes cool completely, then keep them in a metal container with a lid, outside and away from the house.

Once your chimney gets the all-clear, enjoy every cozy night of the season. If you ever have questions about your home, I'm always happy to help.

Kate Valor is a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty Partners, serving Canton, Georgia and the greater Cherokee County area.