How to get your Lake Tahoe Fireplace ready for Winter

Lake Tahoe Fireplace Maintenance

Many Lake Tahoe & Truckee homes offer wood burning stoves to keep you and your family warm through the long and cold winters.  The autumn months are a great time to make sure the chimney and flue are in good working order. If your assessment uncovers any issues that give you pause, call in a chimney professional to diagnose the problem before it gets big, expensive, and potentially dangerous.  Local chimney professionals are listed below.

Exterior

Visually assess the chimney from the outside. Is it leaning? Are there any chipped bricks or masonry joints? Do you see any cracks or holes? If your chimney is factory-built metal, look for any corrosion, stains or loose sections. If your chimney is exposed to your attic, make sure to check there as well. Look for any signs indicating repairs are necessary.

Chimney cap

A good cap can reduce damage caused to a chimney by water and wildlife. Rain and snow can enter an uncapped chimney, and subsequently freeze and thaw, causing expansion damage. Small wildlife can nest in chimneys, creating clogs, and potentially be introducing fleas, ticks, worms and other disease-causing pests to your home. A chimney cap with screen mesh will keep animals out while shielding your roof from embers and sparks.

Leaks & stains

Inside the house, check the area around your chimney for any stains or dampness. These could be caused by faulty flashing around the chimney at the roof line, or by a damaged flue liner. If you see signs of water around your chimney, call a chimney professional right away.

Flue

Open the cleanout door from the base of the flue, located either in your basement or outside the house. Using a small mirror and flashlight to see up the flue, look for buildup of soot and also any cracks, holes or separations. If in doubt, give your chimney professional a call for a good checkup and cleaning.

Interior

Check the brickwork in your fireplace for wear. Check the damper as well — it should open and close easily. Look into the smoke chamber above the damper to check for the buildup of soot. Again, call your chimney professional for service if you see any of these telltale signs.

Chimney safety should be a high priority for every homeowner. With regular maintenance, your Lake Tahoe fireplace and chimney can give you years of wonderful service. A chimney professional can spot things that even a diligent homeowner could miss. Call on a pro to do regular cleanings and safety checks as part of your home maintenance routine. Then throw another log on the fire, sit back and enjoy.

Article was written by Jennifer Noonan on the  Zillow Blog

If you have questions about your Lake Tahoe or Truckee chimney, fireplace, pellet or gas stove, I highly recommend talking with one of the following companies:

More Home Winterization Tips

Contact Dave Westall, Lake Tahoe Realtor

Are you interested in Lake Tahoe real estate and homes for sale?  Dave Westall is your Lake Tahoe Luxury Real Estate expert and is happy to answer any questions you have.  Contact Dave at (530) 448-9882 or David@WestallRealEstate.com.

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David Westall, Realtor
Oliver Luxury Real Estate
P: 530-448-9882
David@WestallRealEstate.com
www.WestallRealEstate.com
CA DRE# 01796995