What Do You Need For Maintenance of a Household Fireplace?
Keeping your household fireplace working properly is essential to its safety. Whether you use a gas fireplace, wood fireplace, or electric fireplace, you’ll need to know how to perform basic maintenance to ensure that your system runs smoothly.
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Some of the most common issues that you’ll want to check out include a clogged chimney, a blocked damper, wet wood that doesn’t burn, and creosote buildup. These issues can lead to a chimney fire and toxic carbon monoxide entering your home. You should have your system checked out by a certified chimney sweep at least once a year.
Using the right type of wood is also an important consideration. Hardwoods are better than softwoods, as they produce more heat. They also burn longer. Hardwoods do not produce as much creosote as softwoods do. You should also be sure to use properly seasoned wood. It’s also a good idea to use a non-flammable rug in front of the fireplace.
If you’re using a gas fireplace, it’s best to clean the area once a year. You can do this by using a specially designed glass cleaner that is safe for use around your fire. You can also use a dry cloth to wipe the glass clean. This will help prevent the embers from falling out of the fireplace.
Checking your chimney for cracks and missing mortar is also an important part of fireplace maintenance. If you’ve got a wood-burning system, you may want to invest in a glass door. This will keep sparks from escaping and it will make your fireplace more efficient. Also, a glass door will protect curious children and pets from getting too close.
Other items you may want to have on hand are a ladder, a metal bucket, and a clean cloth. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean your vents. Be sure to keep your combustible materials at least twelve inches away from the hearth.
Aside from the obvious, you may want to consider installing a smoke detector. If you have small children, you may want to install a guard in front of the fireplace to keep them safe. You should also make sure that your carbon monoxide detector is working properly. A properly maintained smoke detector will help detect a fire before it can start.
A fireplace is an attractive feature in many homes. It’s also a great source of additional heat for your family room. While you may enjoy sitting by the fireplace, it’s important to keep it well-maintained to ensure its safety. In addition to checking that your fireplace is in good working condition, you should also check that you have a fire extinguisher and a carbon monoxide detector.
The National Fire Protection Association says that the failure to clean is the biggest cause of home heating fires. This is particularly true of solid-fueled heating equipment. You can clean the fireplace and the surrounding area with a mild soap and water solution, but you should not use water on your burners.