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Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

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Essential Tasks for Every Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Prepare your house for the changing temperatures of winter. The schedule below will ensure your home is ready for the subzero temperatures by taking a look at the heating systems, water systems, and energy efficiency. Depending on your house and region, some tasks may have a greater value. Some may not not be applicable at all. Try to focus on what is relevant to you.

Chimney Sweep and Fireplace Inspection

fireplace inspection and chimney sweep as a part of your fall home maintenance checklistAn absolute must is a fireplace inspection and a chimney sweep, if applicable. Over time creosote builds up on the interior of the chimney from smoke. It happens to be a highly flammable byproduct and can start a chimney fire with an ignition source. A lot of small chimney fires occur without the homeowner even realizing!

Gas burning fireplaces burn much cleaner and should only require an inspection each year. But, a wood burning fireplace needs to be inspected and cleaned each year. Check the flashing around the chimney if you perform the sweep from the roof (i.e. top-down method). The brick and mortar should be inspected for cracks, too

At the fireplace do a quick inspection and cleaning. Visually check for cracks and smoke marks. Cracks should be repaired by a professional. Smoke marks could indicate blockage in the chimney (e.g. bird’s nest). Remove smoke marks with a homemade cleaning solution of vinegar and water.

Chimney Fires and Maintenance

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Scheduling Fireplace Maintenance and a Chimney Sweep

fireplace and chimney home maintenanceIt is best to schedule fireplace maintenance and a chimney sweep before the cold of winter arrives. The cost of a service professional will be cheaper during the summer. If you wait until late fall or early winter, it will be tougher to schedule a service call and might cost more. Worse yet, delaying a good cleaning could result in a chimney fire and damage the integrity of the liner and brick. This is one maintenance task you do not want to pass by. It is very possible for chimney fire to take place without you even knowing it occurred. If the inspector does find structural problems, you could be staring down a several thousand dollar bill. But, I’d recommend getting a second opinion in the event heavy repairs are needed.

Chimney Fire

Creosote is the key ingredient that determines the likelihood of a chimney fire. This byproduct of fire is built up on the sides of the flue by smoke. The problem is creosote is flammable. Once enough of it is built up and the right spark comes along, a chimney fire occurs. Sometimes the fire turns into a full blown disaster. Other times it stays contained within the flue, but causes cracks in the tile liners in the flue.

If left unchecked, a couple smaller chimney fires can cause serious structural issues with the chimney. Don’t assume there isn’t a problem just because you haven’t seen it. Schedule a sweep and inspection on your home maintenance checklist every year.