How to safely operate a wood-burning fireplace

This guide walks you through how to safely operate a wood-burning fireplace step by step, the way a Fort Worth-based chimney repair pro would. We’ve kept it practical: what to do this weekend, what to schedule with a professional, and what mistakes burn money or worse. Read once before fire season, keep handy for reference.

Start with a visual check

Before tools come out, walk around the fireplace and chimney. Look for cracks, soot stains, rusted dampers, and missing mortar. Half of all chimney repair issues are visible from the floor or driveway if you know what to look for.

Gather the right materials

Most chimney repair tasks need: flashlight, drop cloth, gloves, mild cleaner, and a basic camera (your phone works). For anything past the firebox, stop and call a pro. Inside-the-flue work is not DIY territory.

Work in a clear sequence

Bottom up, never top down for cleaning tasks. Top down, never bottom up for inspection. Document everything with photos so you have a baseline for next season and proof if you ever file an insurance claim.

Know when to stop and call a professional

The moment you see stage 2+ creosote, a crack you can fit a coin into, or any smell of gas, step back. Our certified team can handle from there. The cost of a service call is far less than the cost of a chimney fire or carbon monoxide event.

Schedule annual maintenance

Even after this DIY checklist, an annual professional inspection is non-negotiable. NFPA 211 recommends it, insurance companies expect it, and Fort Worth service area ordinances often require it. Put it on the calendar before fall.