How do I get my fireplace ready for fall and winter?
Canton learned the hard way what floodwater does to a hearth — water-damaged fireboxes and gas appliances across the Pigeon River valley have needed full inspection and, in a lot of cases, replacement. So fall prep here starts with a licensed check of the gas connections and appliance before you ever light it, then the usual service, fresh batteries, and a test burn.
Start with the gas connections
Canton's flooding left water-damaged fireboxes and gas appliances up and down the Pigeon River valley, and a hearth that took on water can't just be relit. Before the first fire, have a licensed gas contractor inspect and pressure-test the connections and the appliance itself — corrosion and water intrusion aren't things to eyeball or DIY. If the unit is beyond saving, we'll tell you honestly; we won't nickel-and-dime a lost cause.
Valley damp works year-round
Even without a flood, the valley floor here fogs up and stays damp, which rusts dampers and chimney caps earlier than owners expect. On a wood fireplace, a sweep and inspection come first — we're looking at the crown, cap, and liner for water damage as much as the creosote, which is the leading cause of chimney fires. Once the chimney checks out, the routine is a service, fresh batteries, clean glass, and a test burn.
Permit, and heat for the next storm
We pull the Haywood County permit on any gas work and meet the inspector, so the job protects your home's insurance and its future sale. And there's a hard-won local lesson in it: 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 fires. We're 20 minutes west — call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Canton
We install and service fireplaces throughout Canton and the rest of Haywood County — just 20 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.
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?