Schedule an end-of-season chimney inspection. Not only is this cheaper than waiting until the fall, but if there are any issues detected, this gives you ample time to get them taken care of before the weather cools down!
Make sure you have a chimney cap installed to prevent animals from nesting in your chimney.
If electing not to get your chimney professionally cleaned, make sure to do it yourself! Use RUTLAND Chimney Brushes & Rods to clean out any creosote. Then, clean out the ash pan.
Clean any deposits from the baffle (or ceiling) of your stove and around the chimney opening with a wire brush. Wipe down the outside of the stove with a damp cloth or sponge.
Replace stove door’s gasketing with RUTLAND Grapho-Glas® Gaskets – this should be done annually! If a piece of paper inserted between the door and stove can be pulled out with the door closed, the seal is not tight enough. Be sure to also check any window or grate openings. *Note that gasket replacements for wood stoves will require a heat cure.
Clean wood or pellet stove glass with RUTLAND Conditioning Glass Cleaner (#84) to ensure that ash, soot, and creosote deposits are not sitting on the glass for months on end. For gas stoves, use RUTLAND White Off® Glass Cleaning Cream (#565).
Polish your cast iron stove with one of RUTLAND’s stove polishes to protect it and restore its finish (#70, 72, or WI-00710).
Examine the stove pipes for any corrosion, holes, or breakage. Replace the pipes if necessary. Use RUTLAND Seal it Right® to reseal (#641/641C).
Wood-Burning Stoves: Start preparing next year’s wood supply! Keep your chopped firewood stacked, elevated from the ground, and covered to allow it to dry properly. Use RUTLAND Stack-N-Store Brackets to keep your firewood elevated (#30360R).
Download Wood-Burning, Pellet and Gas Stove End-of-Season Checklist