Everything You Need to Do Before Lighting Your First Fire
Northern New Jersey winters are no joke. From November through March, temperatures regularly drop below freezing, and many homeowners rely on their fireplaces to keep their homes warm and comfortable. But before you strike that first match of the season, your chimney needs to be ready. A neglected chimney can turn a cozy evening into a dangerous situation, from chimney fires caused by creosote buildup to carbon monoxide poisoning from blocked flues.
This pre-season prep guide walks you through everything Northern NJ homeowners should do to get their chimney ready for winter. Follow these steps and you will enjoy a safe, efficient fireplace all season long.
The single most important thing you can do before winter is schedule a professional chimney inspection. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that all chimneys be inspected at least once per year, ideally before the start of the heating season.
During an inspection, a chimney professional examines the entire system from top to bottom, including the chimney crown, cap, flashing, masonry, flue liner, smoke chamber, damper, and firebox. They are looking for cracks, deterioration, blockages, creosote buildup, and any other issues that could affect the safety or performance of your chimney.
An inspection at Santa's Sweepers starts at just $99. Think of it as an annual checkup for your chimney. It is a small investment that can prevent catastrophic problems and give you peace of mind throughout the winter.
If you used your fireplace last winter, there is almost certainly some level of creosote buildup inside your flue. Creosote is the dark, flammable residue that forms when wood smoke condenses on the cool interior walls of the chimney. Even a thin layer of creosote is a fire hazard, and the buildup from a full season of use can be substantial.
A professional chimney cleaning removes all creosote, soot, and debris from the flue, restoring it to a safe condition. Our cleaning service starts at $199 and includes a thorough visual inspection of the entire chimney system. Most cleanings take about 45 minutes to an hour, and we take precautions to protect your home from dust and debris during the process.
The best time to schedule your cleaning is in late summer or early fall, before chimney professionals get booked up for the busy season. However, it is never too late. If you have not had your chimney cleaned yet this year, schedule it now before you light your first fire.
Your chimney cap is the metal cover that sits on top of the flue opening. It serves several critical functions: it keeps rain out of your flue, prevents animals from nesting inside, blocks debris from falling in, and contains sparks from escaping onto your roof.
Over the summer and fall, wind, rain, and wildlife can damage or dislodge chimney caps. Before winter, visually check that your cap is in place and appears to be in good condition. If you can see it from the ground with binoculars, look for rust, bent mesh, or a cap that appears tilted or loose.
If your chimney does not have a cap at all, getting one installed before winter is one of the smartest investments you can make. A cap prevents water damage, animal intrusions, and downdrafts that can push smoke back into your home. Chimney cap installation is quick and affordable. Contact us for a free estimate.
Take a walk around your home and look at your chimney from the outside. You do not need to climb on the roof. Just use binoculars or your phone's zoom to check for the following:
If you spot any of these issues, schedule a chimney repair before winter arrives. Repairs are always easier and less expensive when done in milder weather. Once winter sets in, cold temperatures and moisture make exterior masonry work difficult or impossible.
The damper is the movable plate inside your chimney that controls airflow. When open, it allows smoke to rise up and out of the chimney. When closed, it seals the chimney to prevent cold air from entering your home and warm air from escaping.
Before your first fire, open and close the damper several times to make sure it operates smoothly. It should move freely without sticking, grinding, or requiring excessive force. When fully open, you should be able to feel a slight draft of air moving up the chimney. When closed, it should seal tightly with no visible gaps.
A damper that does not open fully will restrict airflow and cause smoke to back up into your home. A damper that does not close properly will let heated air escape up the chimney all winter, wasting energy and driving up your heating bills. If your damper is not working correctly, have it repaired or replaced before the heating season.
The quality of the wood you burn has a direct impact on how much creosote builds up in your chimney and how well your fireplace performs. Always burn seasoned hardwood that has been split and dried for at least six months, preferably a year.
Good firewood options for Northern NJ include:
Avoid burning softwoods like pine, spruce, or cedar as your primary fuel. These woods contain more resin, produce more smoke, and create creosote at a much faster rate. Also never burn treated lumber, painted wood, cardboard, or trash in your fireplace. These materials release toxic chemicals and can damage your chimney.
Store your firewood outdoors, off the ground on a rack, and covered on top to keep rain and snow off. Keep the sides open for air circulation. Store only a small amount of wood indoors, just enough for a day or two of burning, to avoid bringing pests into your home.
Every home with a fireplace should have working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the house and near sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced by incomplete combustion. A blocked chimney, cracked flue liner, or malfunctioning damper can allow carbon monoxide to build up in your home to dangerous levels.
Before the heating season, test all your CO and smoke detectors and replace the batteries. If your detectors are more than seven years old, replace them entirely. This is a simple step that could save your family's life.
While you are thinking about chimney maintenance, do not forget about your dryer vent. Winter is peak dryer usage season in Northern NJ, with heavier loads of coats, blankets, and cold-weather clothing going through the dryer regularly. A clogged dryer vent is a fire hazard that becomes even more dangerous with increased winter usage.
Santa's Sweepers offers professional dryer vent cleaning starting at $129. Many homeowners bundle this service with their chimney cleaning for complete home safety.
Taking these steps before the first cold snap means you can enjoy your fireplace with confidence all winter long. Do not wait until there is a problem. Proactive maintenance is always cheaper, easier, and safer than emergency repairs.
Santa's Sweepers helps Northern NJ homeowners prepare their chimneys for winter every year. Call us at (551) 227-7111 or request your appointment online. We serve Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, Union, Sussex, and Warren counties.