If you have a fire in your home, you will also have a chimney. We’re not guessing with that one – it’s a legal requirement even if the fire isn’t functional. The good news is that not only will your fireplace help keep your home toasty and warm during the cold months, but it also gives Santa the perfect route into your home.
Yes, in just a few short weeks the man in red will be making his way down chimneys around the world delivering presents to all of the good boys and girls – and grown-ups too! But will Santa have an easy journey down the chimney, or will he get some bumps and scrapes along the way, and come out covered in soot?
Make Sure It’s Clean
Santa really isn’t a fan of soot – it ruins his nice red suit and the white fluffy trim! A chimney should be cleaned and swept regularly to keep it safe and stop blockages from happening. Not only do blockages mean that dangerous and combustible gasses get stuck in the chimney and cause problems for your family, but it also means that Santa can’t get down to deliver presents! Winter is an important time to have the chimney cleaned, so make sure you get it done before the big day! After all, a clean chimney means that Santa doesn’t need to dry clean his suit!
Have It Inspected Once A Year
The outer part of your chimney is probably made from bricks and mortar (though it can be made of other things), and it puts up with a lot of abuse throughout the year. Wind, rain, hail, snow and even blistering heatwaves can all wear down the structural strength of your chimney. Having your chimney checked for damage means Santa won’t hurt himself climbing in, or damage his suit on the way down. It also means you can spot problems while they’re small and tackle them then, saving you a lot of money and headaches later on.
Decorate Safely
The fireplace is likely a central point in your living room, so of course you want to decorate it for Christmas! Just make sure anything you hand on the mantle is secure and kept away from the fireplace opening. This stops anything from falling off and into the fire – which would be very bad – and means that Santa has a clear entry point with his sack of presents. We also recommend you position your tree as far away from the fire as possible so that no stray sparks land on it and cause a fire. After all, housefires aren’t very festive!
Control The Heat
Lighting the fire is a great alternative to running the heating on a cold night, but when you’re hosting parties and there are lots of people in your home, the temperature can rise pretty quickly. Remember you can control the flame in your fireplace by using the damper or a fireplace poker and shovel to cover some of the flames with ashes. A fireplace with glass doors is a good way to keep the heat a bit more contained as well, so you can enjoy the roaring fire without feeling like you’re in a sauna.
Rooftop Decorations
Santa’s reindeer need a clear runway to land on, so we recommend not decorating your roof. The guttering and facia boards are perfect for hanging lights, but the outside of your chimney and your main rooftop should be kept clear at all times. This is mainly to stop any escaping sparks from landing on your decorations and catching fire, but it also means Santa can land his sleigh easily and won’t skip your house.
Enjoy!
What’s the point in having a fireplace if you aren’t going to enjoy it? Let your fireplace and chimney be your holiday backdrop this season. Host holiday parties, dinners and roast marshmallows over the roaring fire. Because you had your chimney swept before the festivities you won’t have to worry about a dirty, smelly or smokey fireplace running the moment.
If you need a hand with your chimney inspections or want to install a fireplace in your home for next year, we’d love to help. Just drop us a line at DNA Brickwork and Builders and one of our experts will be in touch. In the meantime, have a fantastic Christmas and New Year, and we’ll see you in 2023!
