What should I do before the first fire of the season in my wood-burning fireplace or wood stove?
Brevard's 80-plus inches of annual rain is the thing to inspect for before your first fire — all that water cracks chimney crowns, spalls brick, and rusts dampers, especially in the moisture-prone chases and crawl spaces here. Have the flue swept and the exterior masonry checked, confirm the damper still seals, and keep dry hardwood ready. We're 40 minutes southwest in Transylvania County.
Rain is the enemy of a Transylvania chimney
More rain falls on Brevard than almost anywhere else we serve, and the wet season from March through June leaves its mark by fall: a cracked crown, spalled or flaking brick, a damper rusted stiff, water tracking down into the smoke chamber. Downtown homes and cabins toward Connestee Falls and Sherwood Forest often have chimney chases that trap that moisture. Before the first fire we check the cap, crown, and flashing — because water damage is what turns into a draft or safety problem once you light it.
A stuck damper usually means rust
If your damper won't budge or won't seal, humidity is the likely culprit here. Don't force it and don't light around it — a damper that won't close wastes heat, and one that won't open pushes smoke into the room. We free or replace it and check the firebrick while we're in there. Burn only seasoned hardwood; in a damp climate, wet wood smokes badly and accelerates creosote.
Book the pre-season check
Because moisture works year-round on Brevard masonry, an annual inspection matters more here than in drier parts of the mountains. Line it up before you're depending on the hearth, not after the first smoky fire. Call (828) 545-0525 and we'll get it swept, sealed, and fire-ready.
Fireplace help in Brevard
We install and service fireplaces throughout Brevard and the rest of Transylvania County — just 40 minutes southwest from our Asheville-area showroom.
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