How do I get my fireplace ready for fall and winter?
Book the annual service first, then handle the easy stuff yourself — clean the glass, dust the logs and firebox, replace the batteries in the remote and any battery-backup ignition, clear leaves and nests off the outside vent termination, and run a test burn before the first cold night. Wood-burning fireplaces also need a chimney sweep and inspection before you light them.
The gas checklist
Gas is the low-effort one, but a few things matter. Wipe the glass, dust the logs and burner, and vacuum out the summer's lint so your first fire doesn't stink of burning dust. Swap fresh batteries into the remote, the receiver, and — this is the one people forget — the battery-backup ignition on units like Napoleon's, because that backup is what gives you heat when the grid goes down.
Then do a test burn now, on a cool morning, so any problem shows up in September with time to fix it, not on the first freezing night.
The wood checklist
Wood takes more. Before the first fire, the chimney needs sweeping and a look for creosote buildup, cracked flue tile, and animal nests — this is a safety item, not a nicety, and creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires.
Check the firebrick and damper, and make sure you've got seasoned, dry wood ready. We do level 1 and 2 inspections per CSIA and NFPA standards, and we'd rather find a liner problem in the fall than after a chimney fire.
Why now, and why it matters here
Late summer to early fall is the sweet spot — after the off-season, before you're depending on it. In the mountains that timing carries extra weight. Helene reminded everyone that when the power's out for days, the homes that stay warm are the ones with a working wood or gas hearth, so this is the season to confirm yours actually fires.
Get on the schedule early. The calendar fills fast once the first cold snap hits. Call (828) 545-0525.
Related questions
- How do I shut down my gas fireplace for the summer?
- Why does my fireplace smell like burning dust the first time I light it each fall?
- How do I keep dust and debris out of my fireplace during the months it is not used?
- Should the damper be kept closed during the off-season?
- Is it good to run my gas fireplace occasionally during the off-season?
- How often should a gas fireplace be serviced?
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