Your home's fireplace can be one of its more important amenities during the long and cold winters. However, if you have only recently purchased a home with a chimney and fireplace, there is a strong chance that you may not understand what is needed to keep these systems free of problems. However, you can follow these two fireplace and chimney maintenance tips to help ensure that your fireplace avoids some routine problems. 

Have the Interior of the Chimney Inspected for Signs of Cracking

One of the most important things that you can do to ensure the safety of your chimney is to have it inspected by a professional at least once a year. During these inspections, your chimney's interior will be looked at for signs of cracks and other forms of damage. When these problems are present, it is possible for the smoke and heat generated by the fireplace to cause major harm to your home. in fact, it may even be possible for this problem to lead to a fire starting. 

Luckily, a professional chimney inspection is a relatively quick procedure to have done, and it should not take more than a few hours for this work to be completed. To further enhance the convenience of this type of maintenance, most of these contractors will not require you to be home during the inspection as long as you provide a key to the home. 

Never Miss a Cleaning

In addition to having the chimney inspected on a regular schedule, you will also need to ensure that it is kept clean. As the fireplace is used, it is possible for soot to accumulate on the interior of the chimney, and if this substance is not removed, it is possible for it to catch on fire. When the interior of the chimney is cleaned, this layer of soot is loosened with strong chemicals before it is scraped away from the sides of the chimney. 

For most homes, this type of cleaning will only need to be done once a year prior to the start of the heating season. However, your home may need this work done more frequently if the fireplace is heavily soiled, but your chimney maintenance professional will be able to provide you with a recommended cleaning schedule based on your home's particular needs. 

When it comes to keeping your home warm, a fireplace can be an excellent option, but these systems can encounter problems if they are not properly maintained. By understanding the importance of having the chimney inspected and cleaned once a year, you will be in a better position to keep your home safe from these routine fireplace and chimney problems. After your chimney is ready for safe use, gather some firewood and get ready to be cozy.