Fireplaces ended up being salvation for many homeowners who struggled to keep warm during last year’s power grid failures caused by the powerful Arctic blast. With cold weather here again, it’s likely you’ve had the fireplace going in your home.
Fireplaces have always been a popular feature among Texas homeowners, even though Texas winters are normally not nearly as extreme as in other parts of the U.S. However, it’s worth noting that buying, selling or owning a home with a fireplace can present some challenges.
The perfect fireside: The fireplace serves not only as a source of warmth, but also as a focal point of the living room in most homes. It’s where you display family portraits or a favorite piece of art. A home with a fireplace can feel very inviting and be a valuable selling point to potential buyers. Year after year, the fireplace is rated one of the top amenities desired by homeowners. But beware — a fireplace with structural problems or safety issues can throw a real estate transaction off track, cost a lot of money to fix and even put lives at risk.
Take a closer look: As a potential buyer, you should insist that the home be thoroughly inspected by a professional inspector. That inspection will include the fireplace to ensure it presents no hazards. If the inspector finds a potential problem, they may assess it themself or recommend that a specialist further explore the problem.
Structural problems that could be dangerous or lead to expensive repairs include the fireplace separating from the home, improper installation, corrosion or rusting of the inner liners of metal chimneys, buckling, and separation of the seam or collapsing of the inner liner of metal chimneys.
An inspection also may include factors such as the pilot flame or electronic igniter, the valve pressure, the heat-exchange area, the gas-log positioning and any electrical connections. Other fireplace hazards include creosote buildup (extremely flammable), improper venting, birds nesting in the chimney, or issues with gas lines in gas fireplaces.
Maintenance is key: As a current homeowner, maintaining your fireplace not only keeps you and your family safe, it also prevents potentially deal-breaking problems when you decide to sell. Annual service and maintenance by a certified technician before fireplace season begins will keep your fireplace safe and in top condition. You might want to ask your Realtor for further information about fireplace service and inspections.
Consider hiring a professional: If you’re going to clean your fireplace on your own, make sure you wear appropriate eye protection, gloves and an approved dust mask. Cover the fireplace opening, all rugs and furniture in the area. Soot and other debris from cleaning may cause damage to your home.
If cleaning your fireplace requires a ladder or getting on the roof, only someone with experience and proper safety precautions should take on this task. For your own safety, be aware of electrical and fire hazards at all times and use caution when handling brushes. Keep brushes, cleaning tools and other dangerous items away from children. For most people, fireplace maintenance is a job better left to a professional.
Like many other features of your home, the fireplace is carefully engineered and built for years of safe operation. It’s up to you to be sure your fireplace is properly maintained so it will perform well for years to come. Keep warm, stay safe, and for all information real estate, visit HAR.com.
Jennifer Wauhob, with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene — Katy, is 2022 chair of the Houston Association of Realtors/HAR.com.