Preparing Your Fireplace for a New England Winter

New England winters put chimneys through a lot — freeze-thaw cycles, heavy use, and sudden cold snaps. A little preparation in the fall goes a long way toward a safe, trouble-free heating season.

Schedule your annual inspection early

Chimney technicians get busy as soon as the weather turns. Booking your inspection in early fall, before the first cold night, means you’re not stuck waiting for an appointment on the coldest day of the year.

Check the cap and flashing

A damaged or missing chimney cap lets water, snow, and animals into the flue. Flashing — the metal seal where the chimney meets the roof — is a common source of winter leaks if it’s cracked or pulled away.

Clear the area around the hearth

Before the season’s first fire, make sure the area around your fireplace is clear of anything flammable, and that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries.

Have your wood ready — and dry

Well-seasoned hardwood burns hotter and cleaner than wet or softwood, which means less creosote buildup over the course of the winter.