If you’re like us, one of the things we look forward to the most in winter is cozying up with a roaring fire! Although the Fall has been wonderfully warm so far, winter is around the corner, so it’s important to get your home fireplace stocked up and ready for action while the weather’s still good. Here are some fireplace maintenance tips from our cash for houses Dallas team (who can also give you a no-obligation, FREE home evaluation today).
Common Fireplace Repairs
- Check your mortar – If you have a brick firebox, check for lose or crumbling mortar and replace it with fireplace mortar or refractory caulk using a putty knife. This is a very common issue with these fireboxes, as the extreme heat from the fire causes quite a bit of expansion in the materials. It’s a quick but important repair job, as leaving these gaps can pose a fire risk in your home.
- Chimney flashing – The metal flashing that is set in between the chimney and the roof of your home is there to protect your home from rainwater leaks. It should be inspected each year before the rainy season, as it can easily get damaged through the year by the weather, tree limbs and squirrels. If there’s any damage on or around the flashing, you can call in a repair team or use a DIY method.
- Chimney inspection and repair – While you’re outside and up on the roof, check the outside of your chimney for cracks and loose mortar. Patch any cracks with brick mortar, repair or replace any bricks as needed, and remember to caulk around the flue and the crown.
Cleaning Your Fireplace
- Chimney – The inside of your chimney should be cleaned if it’s a wood-burning fireplace. This is because these fireplaces generate a lot of soot, causing creosote to build up inside the chimney which can cause a dangerous chimney fire. In addition, some chimneys can get filled with debris over the spring and summer season, from leaves and dirt to bird’s nests. Lighting a fire in a clogged chimney will quickly flood your home with smoke and it poses a fire risk. If you have the right tools, you can clean your chimney yourself, but it’s often much easier, much faster and much less messy to call in a chimney cleaning team to perform this fireplace maintenance job.
- Fireplace surround – Because they’re smokier, open wood-burning fireplaces tend to blacken fireplace surrounds and even the mantle. You can clean this off with warm water, dishwashing detergent and a tough scrubbing brush/pumice. If the soot is especially stubborn, you can use tri-sodium phosphate and hot water.
Fireplace Upgrades to Consider
- Fireplace screen – Fireplace screens are essential for preventing burning embers and ashes from falling out of the open wood-burning fireplace onto rugs and into your living area. If yours is looking damaged or isn’t doing the job, then it’s time for a new one. There are such a great range of screens for sale, including some that can rest right up against the fireplace. You could also install a glass fireplace screen to create a more enclosed fireplace, which is ideal if you want to prevent any smoke coming into your home.
- Fireplace mantel – If your mantle is looking outdated or doesn’t fit with your décor, it’s easy to replace it with a new one. You can look around at junk yards for used treasures you can upcycle, build one yourself, have one custom made out of your choice of materials, or even go for a bare chimney for a clean, modern look.
Buying the Right Firewood
The best time to place your order for the season’s firewood is right now, before the rush. It also gives your firewood plenty of time to dry out fully. Look for hardwoods like maple, oak, ash, birch, hickory, as and ironwood rather than softwoods like spruce or cedar. Softwoods are cheaper and make great starter logs, but they burn a lot faster, and using them constantly creates a lot of fine ash and creosote buildup.
Store your firewood outdoors on a rack that is protected from the weather and out of reach of any vermin and insects who will make their winter homes in the stack. Stock up a big basket of firewood near your fireplace to make sure that the night’s supply of fuel is within easy reach.
See How Much Your Home is Worth – Get a Free Home Evaluation from Cash House Buyers in Dallas
We hope you enjoyed our Fall fireplace maintenance tips! A wood fireplace is one of the most desirable extras your home can have, increasing its value – especially if you are considering selling over the Fall or winter season. If you’re interested in selling your home privately or want to sell your home quickly, our cash for houses Dallas team can give you a obligation, free home evaluation right now. Here’s how our process works:
- You enter your information on our website
- We’ll contact you directly to discuss an offer for your property (you can also get a free property evaluation from our website)
- You can accept or reject the offer
- You can also call us directly on 469-858-0088
Our team is compassionate and highly-motivated to offer you the best possible market-related price for your home you want to sell fast. You also pay zero real estate agent commission.
At Shiny Key Properties, our trained consultants have years of experience in helping homeowners to get out of foreclosure or needing to sell quickly. To find out more about our cash for houses Dallas service, get a free home evaluation or to speak to our cash house buyers directly to sell your home privately, please contact us today and speak to one of our friendly team members.