Wood-burning fireplaces are the ideal addition to all homes. They provide any space with added style and warmth. To save you time and money, it is critical for your fireplace to be kept in top condition and well-maintained. A maintained fireplace will provide your house with great value and impress your guests. Below are some tips to keep a wood-burning fireplace maintained.
1. Clean out the Interior of Your Fireplace
It is easy to forget that burning wood may cause the buildup of various creosote, dust, ash, and dirt inside a fireplace. Be sure to clean the interior of your fireplace on a regular basis. When a fireplace is kept clean, it will burn more efficiently and look more presentable. One important thing to note is that the buildup of materials such as creosote is a potential safety hazard. Many fine particles may be transmitted through the air. This can cause health problems over the long term. Cleaning also helps to prevent materials from catching on fire. When cleaning, we recommend that you wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling any particles of dust.
2. Have a Stainless Steel Liner Installed
If you install a liner on your fireplace, it can help to keep embers, and other types of materials contained safely. We are available to help you find the right liner for the size of the fireplace. We can install it as well. A high-quality liner is able to easily withstand a wood-burning fireplace’s high temperatures.
3. Install a Fan or Blower and Heat Proof Glass
Heat Proof Glass helps with your fireplace’s efficiency and safety. Glass doors help to contain burning materials like dust particles or embers. You will also be able to strengthen the safety of your family and guests by adding another protection layer. A blower or fan will make it more efficient to heat your house due to the heat being distributed over a bigger area. Clean the glass doors on a regular basis to prevent material buildup and to keep your fireplace presentable. If there is any material buildup, light sandpaper can be used to lightly sand any tougher buildups off.
4. Watch Out For Smoke
Smoke should not be sent into a room by a properly maintained and vented wood-burning fireplace. If you see any smoke coming from the fireplace into your room, take notice of this immediately since it may be a warning sign that there is something that needs to be maintained or cleaned. There are many different causes, including a dirty chimney that has too much creosote or soot buildup, debris inside the chimney that is blocking the smoke from being vented, a damper that is only partly open or not open at all, or wood that is not burning properly. Whenever you see smoke, it is very important to pay attention and always play it safe.
5. Burn the Right Type of Wood
Burning wood is both a science and an art. You always need to know what type of wood is being burned inside your fireplace. It is also good to know what type of wood you are burning. Various types of wood might be less expensive but do not burn well, which increases your cleaning duties and causes you stress. Hardwood is one type of wood. It includes birch, ash, oak, and maple. Some of the advantages offered by hardwood are that they burn longer and hotter, have less sap and pitch, make them cleaner to deal with, and less creosote buildup occurs. On the other hand, softwoods are a less expensive option, with the tradeoff being they are harder to deal with when it comes to cleaning up and mess. The best is fir. Other softwoods include poplar, alder, tamarack, spruce, balsam, and pine. Green wood should not be burned. Not enough heat is produced, but large amounts of creosote and smoke are generated.
6. Watch Out for Soot
Another byproduct that is produced from burning wood is soot. If it isn’t handled properly, it may be an issue. Soot is usually softer than creosote. It is easily disturbed and can cause a mess in a bigger area, making it hard to clean up. Also, in large volumes, soot may catch on fire. We recommend that you clean soot deposits on a regular basis and make sure it doesn’t get bigger than 1/8 inch deep.
7. Eliminate Creosote
The flammable substance creosote is crust-like, dark, and hard. Creosote appears after burning wood with incomplete combustion. Wet wood caused by improper storage can produce more creosote compared to wood that has been properly dried and stored. When too much creosote builds up, chimney fires can be caused since creosote is a highly flammable substance. Less creosote is produced by a hotter fire, and higher airflow helps to maintain the right burn. We recommend that you use a chimney brush to eliminate any buildup inside the stove pipe. Be sure to inspect your stove pipe on a regular basis. Use a flashlight to ensure you have thoroughly cleaned it.
