Fireplace Maintenance

A good home is never complete without a fireplace. There is just something about that place in the house that really typifies an American home living; maybe it’s the vintage look that compliments the elegance of the home furnishing, or maybe the inviting appeal that encourages fine conversations, or may it just simply be the warmth it brings that exudes protection and safety to a family. But do you think you can get that soothing warmth if you have not cleaned your fireplace for a while. Maybe it just needs a little fireplace maintenance.

You can get it all dressed up with all the prettiest accessories out there, have that most suave mantle in the neighborhood and the finest bricks to compliment its design but if you have not took time in fireplace maintenance you could definitely get some dose of health risks. Whether it is wood fueled or gas fireplace maintenance has to be observed.

Some home owners have found their fireplaces defective because they had not checked it before they had moved in. Ask the former owners of the house if there is any history of defectivity in that fireplace. Try to see if they had made renovations and refurbishing of the fireplace. These renovations can sometimes be tricky as former owners try to patch loop holes in the fireplace. To be sure, have it checked with your contractor, or anyone professional enough to handle the situation. Poor performing fireplace are also results of poor masonry. In situations like these, the best thing you can do is have it reconstructed. It may seem to you like another huge investment, but its worth for your family’s safety.

Going back to important notes on how to maintain a fireplace, regularly clean the all the parts of the fireplace. The NFPA or National Fire Protection Association suggests that you have to clean your fireplace annually. Sign in a yearly deal with your nearest fireplace contractor. They will however advise you to do some pre-cleaning before their visit. And since they only come once a year, problems may arise during the rest of the year so it is better off if you clean it like once in every three months.

If you thought frequent fireplace maintenance can be tough job for you, try changing your wood fuel. Poor wood fuel results in heavy smoking and ashing and cause eventual clogs and dirt build up in the chimney. You have to use more seasoned woods and avoid wet and young wood logs. This will reduce the cleaning frequency for your fireplace.

You might think it is a brilliant idea to place wood on a gas fireplace but don’t as it will only pose horrifying fire hazards. Gas fireplaces are not designed to burn wood and besides the ashes of wood burned in gas fireplaces are too nasty to clean. Maintaining gas fireplaces is no different from maintaining wood fireplaces.

Artificial logs are great too. They are usually made of sawdust and easily burn and produce more heat. But you have to be careful as too much fire might cause serious heat problems in room temperature. Sparks can jump out on carpets and catch fire. Thus, you have to use these artificial logs moderately.

Contrary to popular household practice, throwing in some salt in the firebox does not help you clean it well. Although it does have some slight effect but you don’t want your chimney cap and your dumper to corrode, so never mind.

Another good practice in fireplace maintenance is cleaning the fireplace when winter season is about to start. Yes, you must have it cleaned right before the heating season so that the cleanliness of the fireplace is still fresh. Even if you have cleaned it right after winter, dusts, and other particles accumulate.

There are still a lot of ways to maintain your fireplace, the most common of it is the one that comes from common sense. Do not wait for contractors to come. Do not wait for accidents to happen. In worst case scenarios call a professional for help. It is indeed very important to observe safety measures to keep the fireplace in good condition.