Haven’t Used Your Fireplace in Years? What to Check Before Lighting It Again

A fireplace that has been unused for five or ten years may look exactly the way you remember it. The problem is that the most important changes may have happened where you cannot see them.

Time alone does not damage every chimney, but nonuse does not protect a system from weather, animals, corrosion, masonry deterioration or previous problems that were never repaired.

Start with the maintenance history

If you know when the chimney was last inspected and what was found, that record is valuable. If you recently purchased the home and have no history, treat the system as unknown rather than assuming the previous owner maintained it.

Animals may have moved in

An unused chimney can be attractive to birds and other wildlife, especially if the cap is missing or damaged. Nesting material can obstruct the venting path.

Do not light a fire to “smoke an animal out.” Active bird nests may also be protected by federal law depending on the species and circumstances. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service advises against destroying active nests containing eggs or young without appropriate authorization.

Water can keep working even when fire is not

A cracked crown, failed flashing, rusted chase cover or open masonry joint can admit water year after year. That moisture may damage metal components, mortar, brick or the interior of the chimney.

Look for staining, rust, white mineral deposits, flaking brick and debris in the firebox, but remember that the absence of visible signs does not prove the upper chimney is dry.

Dampers can rust or seize

A damper that has not moved in years may be stiff, rusted or obstructed. It must be fully open before a wood fire is started. CPSC recommends opening the fireplace damper before lighting and keeping it open until ashes are cool.

Old deposits may still be present

If the fireplace was heavily used before it went dormant, creosote did not disappear during the years of nonuse. An inspection can determine whether sweeping is needed before the system returns to service.

The house may have changed too

New windows, air sealing, kitchen exhaust fans, bathroom fans or HVAC changes can alter pressure relationships inside the home. A fireplace that drafted adequately years ago may behave differently in a tighter house.

A sensible restart process

Before the first fire after years of nonuse:

1. Identify the fireplace and chimney type.
2. Have the system inspected.
3. Remove deposits or obstructions if needed.
4. Address water or masonry damage.
5. Confirm the damper and venting path operate correctly.
6. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms.
7. Follow the appliance or fireplace operating instructions.

That may sound cautious, but it is far easier than discovering a problem after the fire is already burning.

Keaton Chimney Solutions provides chimney and fireplace inspections throughout Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and surrounding communities. Call 720-734-5373.

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.