Chimneys in our homes barely receive any maintenance and that can be a problem later. That’s why we want to share with you a Chimney Care Guide. If you have just bought yourself a new home, sometimes it’s best to get this type of maintenance out of the way before a problem occurs. The chances are that the previous owner probably did not do much chimney maintenance before you.

Chimney Care Guide: How Often You Should Maintain Your Chimney

We recommend that chimneys should be inspected and cleaned annually. For this part, you need the services of a fireplace contractor. There are many such contractors in Las Vegas, so it should be easy to care for your chimney.

Even if the chimney hasn’t been used frequently (or at all for that matter), dust and other debris can still accumulate. Sometimes animals will create nests inside and block airflow. The homeowner might not realize this until the fireplace is actually in use.

What Kind of Wood is Ideal for a Fireplace?

We recommend using the right wood for your fireplace as part of our chimney care guide. Recently cut wood is not ideal for using in a fireplace if it’s still somewhat moist. The moisture makes it hard to burn the wood. This type of wood is called unseasoned or green wood.

Green wood will produce smoke containing creosote as a by-product. Creosote is flammable, smelly, and may build up over time inside the chimney. The best wood for your chimney is seasoned firewood. This is the type of wood that has been dried for at least six months and will burn easily, creating the most heat while producing less smoke. With less smoke, your chimney will remain more clear than if you were to use green wood.

How to Prevent Fire-Hazards in Your New Las Vegas Home 

Other than caring for the chimney to keep your home safe and clean, we also recommend taking precautions to prevent fire hazards in your home. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

–          Install smoke detectors in different rooms around the home. Don’t forget the hallways!

–          Make sure to inspect the smoke detector batteries after every quarter to ensure they are still working.

–          Do not leave any fire in your fireplace or backyard burning unattended

–          Teach your children not to put logs into the fireplace when you are not around to supervise

We understand the importance of keeping your home safe. We’re always available to help you learn more about maintaining your house. Visit us to learn more about house safety or to view/create property listings on the Las Vegas Real Estate market.