Put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least 3 feet from your home. The main culprit of chimney fires is creosote. But did you know that your fireplace ambiance comes with a maintenance requirement? The effort of maintaining your fireplace chimney is a small price to pay to avoid chimney fires. To avoid a disaster in your house, keep the following tips in mind. Chimfex and Fire-Ex are products that work by quickly reducing the available oxygen in the flue to starve the fire. They’ll check the flue walls and identify and address any potential problems. By Manasa Reddigari and Bob Vila. Have Your Chimney Inspected Annually – Annual chimney inspection can prevent chimney fires. There are only two ways to prevent chimney fires: take away the fuel and take away the match. But sometimes problems happen anyway. The importance of yearly chimney inspections and cleanings can’t be understated, as they are the one true way to minimize the likelihood of a chimney fire sparking in the first place. Sometimes these fires burn themselves out, but they still can damage the chimney. Not burning trash in a fireplace or woodstove. Keep your chimney clean – It is extremely important and cannot be emphasized enough to have your chimney professionally cleaned at a minimum of once per year. This situation creates a cooler, dirtier fire. However, proper chimney maintenance decreases the risk of these fires. Chimney maintenance is always less expensive than repair. A weaker one will deposit soot and creosote on your chimney’s walls. But sometimes problems happen anyway. MENTOR, Ohio — As you relax in front of your fireplace and enjoy the warmth it provides, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is how clean your chimney is. The main culprit of chimney fires is creosote. These wood species are fine for a bonfire outdoors, but they burn up quickly and leave excess creosote on your chimney walls. Install a Chimney Cap to Help Prevent Fire How? Clean your fireplace and chimney. Level 1 ($75 to $250) includes a check of readily accessible parts of the fireplace or wood stove and chimney. How To Prevent Chimney Fires It is recommend by all experts to have your chimney serviced and cleaned prior to the cold season when it will be getting a lot of use. Green wood burns much cooler than seasoned wood, and as a result the smoke is more likely to condense on the inside of the chimney and cause creosote buildup. But adding too much wood at one time can create a blanket over the flames. Your wood needs to be dry throughout before you add it to your fire. Most chimney fires happen for one simple reason: improper usage and care of wood-burning appliances. Leaves and animal nests inside a flue can quickly fuel a chimney fire when touched by loose embers from a fire. Do not burn paper in your fireplace. A chimney sweep is the best solution, and homeowners should considering getting one on an annual basis. For chimney fires, the fuel is the creosote and the match is an overly hot fire in … Murphysboro Fire Chief Steve McBride says the fire department responds to at least two chimney fires a year. The best way to burn a clean fire is to use the top-down burn method: Place the large logs vertically at the bottom of the fireplace or wood stove (with the bottoms of the logs facing you), add four to five horizontal layers of kindling, then top with tinder and light. There are three levels of chimney inspections: Consult your chimney sweep company about which inspection level is recommended for your chimney and venting system. Find the best local pros and compare multiple quotes for your chimney or fireplace project. Visit us in Cokato, Willmar, or New London, MN, to get a quote today. Make sure to open the damper when you light a fire. Because many defects that lead to chimney fires, such as a cracked flue liner, aren’t visible to the naked eye, it’s crucial to have a Chimney Safety Institute of America-certified chimney sweep inspect your fireplace or woodstove, chimney, and venting system once a year. Sweeping chimneys can help to avoid very serious problems like chimney fires. are products that work by quickly reducing the available oxygen in the flue to starve the fire. Not only can damaged chimneys spread fire throughout your home but build up of soot and creosote can catch fire within your chimney. Unseasoned, or green, wood is the main cause of creosote buildup, so the easiest way to reduce the chances of a chimney fire is to use well-cured wood. Learn how to prevent chimney fires below. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Annual inspection of your fireplace, stove, and chimney is an absolute must. Minimize creosote build-up to prevent chimney fires.. So it’s essential to be sure you have adequate coverage. After the firebox cools (for a minimum of three hours, but preferably eight), shovel the ashes into a metal container. An insulated flue liner will prevent flue temperatures from getting too cool—a condition that could encourage fire by-products to condense and form creosote. He says chimneys should be inspected each year by a … If the temperature in the chimney flue (the space inside the chimney) is high enough, and the creosote build-up thick enough, creosote can catch fire—and that fire can spread and move up the flue. Accidents happen even with chimney safety protocols in place. Your chimney removes smoke from your home while providing fresh air to feed the fire in the fireplace. Then douse the cooled wood and embers with enough baking soda to cover them completely—the sodium bicarbonate will extinguish any remaining embers. The best way to prevent a chimney fire is to have an annual inspection performed by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. Schedule an annual chimney inspection.. Because many defects that lead to chimney fires, such as a cracked flue... 3. This pro will inform you of any damage and, if desired, repair it as well as remove soot, creosote, or obstructions such as bird nests. This substance can coat the glass on your fireplace and stick to your chimney flue’s walls. Chimney fires occur when creosote and / or soot inside the chimney catch alight. Chimney Fires Can Be Prevented. Have your chimney serviced by a certified chimney sweep once a year. Wait until the ash is cool and be sure to store in a fire-safe container such as a metal bucket. Level 3 ($1,000 to $5,000) includes Level 1 and Level 2 inspection. Always stick to the best fire starters when selecting fuel, kindling, and tinder. To prevent this danger from ever occurring, follow these 7 tips to avoid a chimney fire from ever happening in your home. Get enough seasoned wood to last through this winter. If you aren’t sure whether your wood is dry enough to use, measure it with a moisture meter. The wood you choose can affect the amount of creosote buildup on your chimney walls. A chimney fire occurs about 22,000 times a year in the United States, so homeowners need to monitor this. Products to prevent chimney fires. What Should I Do If I Have a Chimney Fire? Around the outside opening of the chimney first, a chimney fire times year... “ back puffing, ” whereby escaped smoke from a fire re-enters the chimney, produce more and. From outside temperatures All rights reserved for chimney fires in Ireland are caused by CSIA! Stove and chimney is too short dirty chimneys can help to avoid a disaster in house... 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