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Fireplace Tips to Protect Your Family, Home and Save Money

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Executives

Fireplace

 

 

 

  

As temperatures drop it is time to consider the fireplace safety  tips that will protect your family and home.
There are simple inspections and cleaning that can be competed by many homeowners.  If there is any question at all you should contact a chimney sweep or a fireplace contractor.

 

 

 

 

 

Wood-burning

    • Creosote, the unspent fuel that collects on the chimney walls, is the leading cause of fires started by a dirty chimney.  You should have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep.
    • Gaskets on doors and fireplace glass need to be inspected and replaced if necessary. If these airtight doors allow extra air into the firebox it could create a dangerous flareup
    • Fireplace blowers do not normally have a filter.  They should be checked and cleaned to maintain maximum performance
    • Replace any broken or deteriorated brick lining in the firebox. If brick in a prefabricated firebox has deteriorated allowing the steel frame to overheat it could cause permanent damage
    • Be certain to replace any batteries in smoke detectors before the wood burning fireplace is used.

 

Gas-burning

  • Whenever your gas fireplace requires service you should call a licensed technician to provide the service.
  • Fireplace blowers do not normally have a filter.  They should be checked and cleaned to maintain maximum performance
  •   The battery in any optional remote devices should be changed periodically

 

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The Kruschkas are long term Prince William County residents with more than 30 years experience as real estate professionals serving Woodbridge, Manassas, Dumfries, Manassas Park, Bristow, Brentsville, Gainesville and Haymarket

Experience Isn’t Expensive – It’s PRICELESS

If you plan to buy or sell a Prince William County home or property contact Karen and Art by Email or call us at 703-499-9279. Put our record of customer service, real estate experience and state-of-the-art technology to work for you in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, Stafford County or the entire Northern Virginia Area.

 

 

 

Karen Kruschka's Web Site

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=hous

Comments(20)

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Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

This is something to think about. We don't use our fireplaces often, so we are particularly susceptible, I would think. 

Oct 10, 2014 03:09 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Hi Karen  You might do well to inquire of a chimney sweep

Oct 10, 2014 03:23 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Karen ...This is something everyone should think about this time of year!

Great reminder!

Have a great weekend!

Oct 10, 2014 07:27 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Rob Thomas   Without a doubt

Oct 10, 2014 08:45 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are important tips, Karen!  Having had a friend, who experienced a chimney fire, I can attest to how important having fireplaces checked and well maintained can be.

Oct 10, 2014 11:52 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Hi, Karen.

    I remember my neighbor setting up a nice fire for New Year's Eve.  The only problem, she forgot to open the flue!    What a smoky mess.

Oct 10, 2014 01:21 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Myrl Jeffcoat Once is more than enough

Oct 10, 2014 10:09 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Fred Griffin   Getting rid of the odor is a challenge

Oct 10, 2014 10:10 PM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Karen,

It is that time of year for anyone with a fireplace to have it ready for use!

Oct 11, 2014 11:10 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

@Lisa Van Domek  Thank you for helping me publicize it

Oct 11, 2014 10:29 PM
Nick T Pappas
Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL
Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Karen, great safety tips for making sure your fireplace is in top operating condition and the flu and chimney are clean.

Oct 13, 2014 11:39 AM
Wayne Johnson
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper REALTORS® - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio REALTOR, San Antonio Homes For Sale

No question that winter fires are often found to be the cause for lots of destruction in homes. Karen Kruschka gives good advice on Northern VA real estate and fireplace safety.

Oct 13, 2014 01:43 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Nick T Pappas Prevention akways works best

Oct 13, 2014 08:24 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Wayne Johnson Thank you - your insight is appreciated

Oct 13, 2014 08:26 PM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Karen

Very good fireplace tips to learn from

Oct 17, 2014 01:20 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Tom Braatz Thank you

Oct 24, 2014 01:14 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

This one should definitely be featured!!! Most people don't seem to be concerned until there is a house fire and then it's too late.

I hope someone behind the scenes reads this comment and gets you featured.

Oct 24, 2014 01:40 AM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Patricia Feager, MBA, GRI, Cert Negotiations Expert, Military Relo Prof   Fireplace checking should be an annual event - it is in our house

Oct 26, 2014 10:38 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Sound advice, Karen Kruschka!  I was not aware that blowers didn't have filters - as other have said, this is great information for the consumer that should be featured!

Oct 27, 2014 02:34 PM
Karen Kruschka
RE/MAX Executives - Woodbridge, VA
- "My Experience Isn't Expensive - It's PRICELESS"

Debe Maxwell    I only learned about filters when I did the research for the post

Oct 27, 2014 11:15 PM
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