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A Family Handyman report featuring chimney professional Tracy Zarriello outlines steps for safer fireplace use, including burning dry wood, checking airflow and arranging a professional inspection at least once a year. The report warns that cleaning logs do not replace chimney inspection or cleaning, and that wood-burning fireplaces can pose fire and carbon monoxide hazards if poorly maintained.
A Family Handyman report featuring chimney professional Tracy Zarriello advises homeowners to have fireplaces inspected at least once a year and to follow fuel- and airflow-safety steps before using them this winter. The guidance focuses on reducing risks tied to creosote buildup, chimney fires and carbon monoxide, while noting that care needs differ among wood-burning, gas and electric fireplaces.
Zarriello, owner of Queen Sweep Chimney, Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Heating Services, says homeowners should first identify what kind of fireplace they have. Wood-burning units require ash cleanup, firewood handling and regular chimney attention. Gas fireplaces avoid the ash produced by wood fires and generally need less maintenance, but their burners and venting systems still need inspection. Electric models produce no combustion byproducts and often use a heating element as a space heater.
For wood fires, the report recommends using seasoned hardwood—such as ash, maple or oak—that has dried for six to 12 months or longer and has moisture content below 20 percent, according to Zarriello. Wet or green wood produces more smoke and creosote. Homeowners should open the damper before lighting a fire and leave it open while the fire burns, use a screen to contain sparks, and wait until ashes are completely cool before removing them.
The report also recommends monthly checks during the burning season: look for cracked firebox bricks or deteriorating mortar, test whether the damper works, and check the chimney cap from the ground. A missing or damaged cap can allow rain and animals into the chimney, making regular home maintenance important alongside other eco-friendly winter home tips. Zarriello says a visual check cannot reveal many problems inside the flue, which is why she recommends a professional inspection at least annually.
Reducing Winter Fireplace Risks
Fireplaces can create warmth, but use and maintenance affect both heating performance and household safety. The source report says an open wood-burning fireplace can draw heated indoor air up the chimney; homeowners seeking more effective heating may want to learn whether a gas insert or an EPA-certified wood stove is appropriate for their home.
Creosote is a flammable residue formed as smoke cools and condenses in a chimney. Zarriello describes its progression from flaky soot to harder deposits and says a shiny, glazed buildup is particularly difficult to remove and can ignite. A chimney fire may damage a flue liner even when it is not obvious to occupants; the report warns that resulting damage could allow dangerous carbon monoxide levels to enter a home. These risks make routine professional inspection more than a matter of cleaning appearance.
The advice also cautions against treating chimney-cleaning logs as a substitute for service. Some products may loosen light deposits, Zarriello says, but they do not remove hardened creosote. Relying on one alone could leave a hazard unaddressed.
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Different Fireplaces, Different Care
The source report distinguishes three common fireplace types. Wood-burning fireplaces produce real flames but need the most hands-on care, including ash removal and chimney maintenance. Gas units use a fuel supply on demand and do not produce wood ash; the report says they have a lower risk of chimney fires than wood-burning fireplaces, while still requiring checks of their burner and venting. Electric fireplaces simulate flames and do not create combustion byproducts, though many models include a heating element.
Maintenance also depends on what a homeowner inherited with a house and how the system is built. Zarriello says specialized equipment is needed to examine much of a chimney flue. The report therefore presents homeowner visual checks as useful routine steps, not a replacement for a qualified professional’s inspection of the liner, ventilation, creosote, water damage and masonry.
“Many homeowners are surprised to learn that a traditional open wood-burning fireplace can actually pull heated air out of the house.”
— Tracy Zarriello, owner of Queen Sweep Chimney, Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Heating Services, as quoted by Family Handyman
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Risks Homeowners Cannot See
The report does not provide inspection data, incident statistics or a measure of how common chimney fires are, and it does not assess any specific home or fireplace. Actual maintenance needs vary with fireplace type, condition and use. A homeowner’s ground-level look at the chimney cap or a check of the firebox cannot establish whether the flue liner has damage or creosote deposits.
The source also does not name a particular inspection standard, professional credential or local code requirement. Homeowners should ask a qualified chimney professional what inspection and cleaning their system needs. The report’s general seasonal advice cannot determine whether a particular appliance is safe to operate.
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Checks Before the Next Fire
Before using a fireplace, homeowners can identify its type, check that the damper operates and is open for a wood fire, and use dry fuel where applicable. During burning season, the report recommends monthly visual checks of the firebox and chimney cap, with ashes removed only after they have fully cooled. A fireplace that shows damage, drafts poorly or raises safety concerns should be assessed by a qualified professional rather than treated with a cleaning log.
The main recurring step is to arrange a professional chimney inspection at least once a year, as Zarriello recommends, and follow the professional’s advice on cleaning or repairs. The source provides no schedule for a particular household beyond that annual recommendation; the condition of the chimney and the type and frequency of use remain relevant.
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Key Questions
How often should a fireplace chimney be inspected?
Zarriello recommends a professional inspection at least once a year. The report says a specialist can examine parts of the flue that homeowners generally cannot see without specialized equipment.
Can a chimney-cleaning log replace professional cleaning?
No. According to Zarriello, some products may loosen light deposits, but they do not remove hardened creosote from chimney walls. The report says inspection and cleaning with proper equipment are needed to address creosote buildup.
What kind of wood does the report recommend?
It recommends seasoned hardwood, including ash, maple and oak. Zarriello says wood should generally dry for six to 12 months or longer and have moisture content below 20 percent; wet or green wood produces more smoke and creosote.
Are gas fireplaces maintenance-free?
No. The report says gas fireplaces generally require less care than wood-burning units and do not create messy ashes, but regular inspections are still recommended to check the burner and venting system.
Can an open wood fireplace heat a home efficiently?
Zarriello says an open wood-burning fireplace can pull heated air out of the house. The report says a gas insert or an EPA-certified wood stove is usually more effective for homeowners whose main goal is heating.
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