Homeowner Guides
Fall Fireplace Checklist for Colorado Homeowners
The first cold night is not the best time to discover that a damper is stuck, a bird built a nest in the flue or last spring’s roof leak damaged the chimney.
Use early fall to prepare deliberately.
1. Confirm the chimney was inspected within the last year
Annual inspection is the basic safety baseline recommended by fire-safety organizations and chimney-industry guidance.
2. Sweep if deposits require it
Do not judge by how many fires you remember burning. Inspect the actual flue and clean when creosote or other deposits are present.
3. Check the cap from the ground
Look for missing, crooked or damaged metal and obvious screen problems.
4. Look for masonry changes
Compare with last season: new spalling, open mortar joints, crown cracks or staining.
5. Test the damper
Make sure it moves freely and opens completely.
6. Check smoke and CO alarms
Test alarms and replace batteries/units according to manufacturer guidance and applicable code.
7. Inspect firewood
Burn dry, seasoned wood. Use a moisture meter if uncertain.
8. Clear the hearth area
Keep furniture, decorations and other combustibles well away from the fireplace. U.S. Fire Administration guidance recommends keeping combustible materials at least three feet from heat sources such as fireplaces and wood stoves.
9. Watch the first few fires
Pay attention to smoke spillage, unusual odors and changes in draft. A system can develop problems even if it worked perfectly last winter.
10. Check Denver-area air-quality advisories
If you live in the regulated Denver-Boulder metro area and burn wood, understand high-pollution-day restrictions and exemptions.
Keaton Chimney Solutions provides pre-season chimney and fireplace service throughout Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and surrounding communities. Call 720-734-5373.
Do I need inspection if I used the fireplace only twice last year?
Annual inspection also looks for weather, animal and structural issues unrelated to heavy use.
Should I test the fireplace before the inspection?
If maintenance is overdue or there are known concerns, inspect before use rather than creating a test fire.
What moisture level is best for firewood?
EPA guidance recommends around 20 percent or less.
Need help with a chimney or fireplace in Colorado? Keaton Chimney Solutions serves Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and surrounding communities. Call 720-734-5373.