Keeping your chimney clean for the winter

Temperatures are falling and if you haven’t done it already you’ll soon be turning on the heat.

But your heating system can be dangerous if you’re not careful.

There are things that you need to do before you turn up the thermostat to not turn up the danger as well.

It’s easy to see that T.J. Rarig is ready for winter by looking at the large pile of wood in his back yard.

“I’ve got plenty out there to last me until spring,” he said.

You probably also figured out that the pile of wood will help he and his family stay warm for the winter.

Rarig said, “we use it for primary heat if we can.”

But despite a chill in the air, there was no smoke rising from their chimney the past few nights.

Before you toss a log on the old fireplace this winter, you want to get it cleaned out.

Justin Drapeau of Clean Sweep Chimney Sweeps explains why. “That can cause a chimney fire,” he said.

The black buildup in your fireplace is something known as creosote, and it’s very dangerous.

Good things may come to those who wait, but chimney sweeps say that’s not the case with your fireplace or wood burning stove.

“Some people wait way too long to get it cleaned for as much as they use it,” said Drapeau.

On Wednesday, Drapeau stopped by the Rarig’s house to give the stove the once over.

He scrubbed and vacuumed the stove and flues in the house and on the roof.

In the end Rarig’s stove is set to go.

And he’s ready for the kind of winter weather he really wants.

He said, “I’m looking forward to a cold winter. I’m looking forward to a lot of snow. If I can get 12 feet out here I’d be a happy man.”

And now he knows his wood burning stove will be up to the challenge.

Drapeau said that it’s important to get gas fireplaces checked out before winter as well.

They can be even more dangerous since they emit carbon monoxide, which can be deadly in large enough concentrations.