How do I get my fireplace ready for fall and winter?
Weaverville splits two ways: fast new construction out in Reems Creek with modern sealed gas fireplaces, and older downtown homes still running original masonry fireboxes. New gas units need a service, fresh ignition batteries, and a test burn; the old masonry ones need a chimney sweep and flue inspection first. The town's north-facing valley warms up slowly, so heat matters into spring.
Reems Creek's new builds
Weaverville is growing fast, and the new construction out in Reems Creek mostly comes with modern sealed direct-vent gas fireplaces. Those are the easy ones to get ready: wipe the glass, dust the logs and burner, and clear a summer's worth of lint so the first fire doesn't reek of scorched dust. Swap fresh batteries into the remote and the battery-backup ignition — that backup is exactly what keeps a gas fireplace producing heat when the power's out. Then run a test burn on a cool morning so any fault turns up now, with time to fix it before you're leaning on it.
Older downtown fireboxes need more
Downtown Weaverville's older homes tend to hold original masonry fireboxes, and many of those are inefficient — an open hearth can lose more heat up the flue than it puts into the room. Before you light one, get a chimney sweep and inspection for creosote, cracked tile, and a worn damper. If it's never really warmed the house, a sealed gas insert commonly runs 70% efficient or better and makes it a real heater; this town's on natural-gas mains, so tying one in is straightforward. We pull the Buncombe County permit, we're 15 minutes north, and the north-facing valley warms up slowly in spring — so the season's long. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Weaverville
We install and service fireplaces throughout Weaverville and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes north 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?