As the days get shorter and temperatures begin to fall, you’re bound to spend more time indoors. That’s just the way things work. And yet things take at least a small turn for the better if you have a wood fireplace that’s been sitting idle since March or so.

But before you light fire number one for the upcoming season, make sure your fireplace is in top shape by performing a little preventive maintenance. Doing so can help uncover problems before they become costlier to repair and perhaps even dangerous.

Inspect the exterior. Head outside and visually inspect the chimney for signs of disrepair. Look for leaning, chipped or cracked bricks or masonry joints, corrosion, or loose sections. If your chimney runs through your attic, head up there for a thorough inspection, as well.

Check the chimney cap. Not only does a chimney cap prevent wildlife and pests from setting up shop in your chimney, it prevents water and snow from entering where it can then freeze and thaw, thus causing expansion damage. Choose a chimney cap with a screen mesh to keep critters out while shielding the roof from sparks and embers.

Inspect the flue. Open the clean-out door and use a small mirror and flashlight to look up into the flue. Look for cracks, separations, holes, and soot build-up. If it makes you feel more secure, contact a chimney professional for a professional grade inspection and cleaning.

Look for leaks and stains. Inspect the area around the indoor portion of your chimney for water stains or signs of dampness. When water comes pouring or seeping down your chimney, it’s usually caused by faulty flashing around the chimney or a damaged flue liner.

Inspect the fireplace itself. Check brickwork for signs of damage or excess wear and make sure the damper opens and closes easily. Peek inside the smoke chamber above the damper for soot build-up and contact a chimney pro if you spot something that doesn’t look quite right.

Schedule annual maintenance. No matter how diligent and thorough you are, there are certain things that only a pro’s eye can see. Before you throw another log on the fire, schedule an inspection and cleaning with a trusted chimney company.

Still, even a flawlessly maintained and functioning fireplace can provide only so much warmth.  In fact, beyond the area where it’s located, it provides none. That’s the job of your heating system. Just like a chimney, it needs to be faithfully maintained. So, if your furnace or boiler hasn’t been cleaned or inspected in a year or longer, now is the perfect time to contact the home heating and cooling professionals at CD Cooling & Heating, the people who provide added indoor comfort all year long.