Today?s column is by guest writer Douglas Trattner, HouseLogic.com. Trattner has covered home improvement for HGTV.com, DIYNetworks and the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
How do you keep your fireplace safe? The best tools you have are your eyes.
With regular visual inspections both inside your home and out, you?ll make sure your fireplace is in good shape for the burning season.
CHECKING FROM THE OUTSIDE
Examine the chimney to make sure a chimney cap is present and in good repair. The metal cap keeps animals, rain and snow out of the chimney while acting as a spark arrester that prevents hot embers from landing on your roofing.
If you have a multistory home or a steep roof, play it safe and use a pair of binoculars to check the chimney cap from the ground.
While you?re at it, make sure of the following things:
? There is no bird?s nest or buildup of debris on the chimney cap.
? There are no tree limbs above or near the chimney.
? The mortar and bricks on the chimney aren?t crumbling or missing.
? The chimney rises at least 2 feet above where it exits the roof.
? The chimney crown ? the sloping cement shoulders at the top of the chimney ? is beveled, which helps airflow.
? The flue liner is visible above the chimney crown.
? The chimney is plumb and not leaning to one side or the other.
? The roof flashing is tight against the chimney.
If you spot anything amiss, call a licensed chimney professional or mason to remedy the problem. For pricey jobs, be sure to get a second estimate.
LOOKING INSIDE THE HOME
With a flashlight, inspect the flue damper to make sure it opens, closes and seals properly.
?If the damper doesn?t seal well, you?ll lose a tremendous amount of heat from the home when the fireplace isn?t in use,? said Gary Spolar, a licensed sweep and owner of Century Chimney in northeast Ohio.
With the damper open, check the flue for combustible material, such as animal nests or other foreign objects. You should be able to see daylight at the top.
Inspect the fireplace surround, hearth and firebox to make sure there are no cracked bricks or missing mortar. Damage inside the firebox is serious; if you suspect damage, have a professional fireplace and chimney inspection. An inspection costs anywhere from $79 to $500.
Also, check for obvious signs of moisture inside the firebox, which could mean a faulty chimney cap.
INSPECTING A GAS FIREPLACE
We enjoy gas fireplaces because they?re low-maintenance ? but that doesn?t mean they?re no-maintenance.
? Inspect the glass doors for cracks or latch issues.
? Check that gas logs are in the proper position.
? Turn gas off at the shutoff valve and test the igniter.
? Ignite the fire and look for clogged burner holes. If present, turn off gas and clear obstructions with a pin or needle.
? Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the National Association of Realtors
House to House is distributed by the Arkansas Realtors Association. For more information about the ARA, visit www.ArkansasRealtors.com.
More from columnist Arkansas Realtors AssociationSource: http://news.homesarkansas.net/?p=4247
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