Seasons change, pools close, chimneys need prepped

Oct. 4—With winter approaching, chimneys require a good sweeping to ensure the system is safe and ready to keep homes warm, and pools must be readied to prevent freezing and destruction of the internal workings of the system.

Nathan Wright with Hearth and Pool, advises customers to prepare for the winter by ensuring the chimney is not only clear of creosote buildup but also structurally sound.

Now is the time of year to do this kind of maintenance and also prepare pools to prevent freezing of pipes and equipment, he said.

"Usually, when people buy a house the chimney hasn't been inspected," Wright said. "We are trying to educate folks on the difference between an inspection and cleaning."

Once a system has been inspected, Wright advises folks to followup once a year in the form of a cleaning. This involves removing all the creosote that has built up, and any ash or material that might stop smoke from leaving the house.

In the inspection, the system is checked bottom to the top, looking for areas where water may be getting in. In the attic, the inspector looks for chimney soundness and clearance to combustibles.

"When building a house, contractors should ensure that wood framing is built away from the chimney," Wright said. "A lot of times they mount the wood framing up to the chimney and if it is not properly relined — meaning a stainless steel pipe has been dropped into the chimney — those combustibles are not supposed to be touching the chimney."

If a homeowner has never had an inspection, that is the best service to have completed to give a fireplace or wood stove a clean bill of health. After that inspection, a yearly cleaning is usually enough unless there is a chimney fire or external event, Wright said.

Heating fires account for 36% of fires in rural areas every year, said Fire Chief Casey Baker.

"We encourage homeowners to [have their chimney checked] every year by a chimney professional," Baker said. "And burn only well-seasoned hard woods."

It is common for animals to get inside of a chimney if the proper mechanisms are not in place.

"Chimney caps [are the best prevention] of animals getting into your chimney or stovepipe," Wright said. "The flue tiles are inside the chimney and that's where the smoke goes through, and they are clay. [Proper installation is] a masonry chimney, then a tiny clay cap, and a metal cap on top of that. That's what keeps out critters."

A mesh screen between the cap and flue allows smoke to leave and keeps critters out.

Fire safety standards advise homeowners to install a chimney cap and have good carbon monoxide detector in the home, Baker said. Smoke alarms should be installed and checked often to make sure all systems for fire prevention are in place.

"After a bad storm, it's good to check your flue pipe. Prevention is the best defense against fires," Baker said.

If a raccoon gets in a chimney, stick a piece of wood down the top of the chimney and allow them climb up and out. The animals keep from falling down the chimney by perching on the smoke shelf.

"The smoke rolls up and there is a shelf where a lot of the creosote and ash falls on that shelf. That's why it's so important to have that yearly cleaning," Wright said. "[This buildup] can act like kindling. Creosote can burn up to 2,500 degrees. That's why clearance to combustible is so important."

Chimney fires are short and intense. The sound is likened to a jet engine. Chimney fires are most common when a fireplace has not been in use for some time, and a storm knocks out the power. People rely on wood burning systems to stay warm and if a chimney has not been maintained, fires can happen.

"[If] the power goes out like in 2008 and 2009, when it was out for up to two weeks — and that's their only source of heat — after a couple of days [of using the fireplace or wood stove], those temps creep up and all that wood that's touching the chimney [can catch fire]," Wright said.

If the chimney has been relined, a flash fire goes straight up, and the biggest hazard is the roof catching fire.

"We see a lot of old chimneys that get water damage from bad flashing on the roof or cracks in the masonry. In the attic you can see all the way through the chimney because no masonry is there," Wright said. "That's why inspections are so important."

If there is a fire in the chimney, close off fireplace, and shut it down to prevent oxygen from feeding the flames, Baker said. And call the fire department to ensure that the fire is out.

"It's always good to once or twice a year do a safety plan with your family; how to get out, and where to meet up with each other," Baker said.

On the American Red Cross website, tips for creating such an escape plan is outlined. Everyone in the household should know two ways to escape from each room in the home. Realize that smoke is as dangerous as fire and to "get low and go." Decide where to meet outside, and never go back inside for people, pets or things.

If a fire starts, you may have less than two minutes to get to safety. The ARC says time your fire drills so you know how long your escape time will take.

To close a pool for the season, Wright said the most important thing is making sure there is no water in any of the lines, pipes or equipment that might freeze.

Compressed air is used to remove water from the lines for in-ground pools. For an above-ground pool, homeowners need to disconnect everything and drain water from lines and equipment, Wright said.

Late September and October is recommended time to do these types of maintenance to pools and chimneys.