After working in the chimney industry for most of her life, Tracy Zarriello traded the office for the rooftop—and she’s never looked back. Now the owner of Queen Sweep Chimney, Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Heating Services, she has seen firsthand what causes the most common fireplace problems and knows exactly how homeowners can avoid them. Here are her top tips for a safe, warm and worry-free fall and winter.

Know Your Fireplace

The maintenance your fireplace needs depends largely on the type of unit in your home. While you may not always get to choose your fireplace—many homeowners simply inherit the one that came with the house—it pays to know how it works and how to care for it to avoid unnecessary service calls.

Wood-burning fireplaces create an undeniably cozy atmosphere with real flames and soothing crackling, but they’re also the most labor-intensive option.…