How to Get Your Fireplace Ready For the First Burn of the Season
How to Get Your Fireplace Ready For the First Burn of the Season
There is something about a fireplace that makes a home more comfortable and bright even on the coldest of nights. If you are getting ready to begin using your fireplace again, it may be the time to begin thinking about your fireplaces condition and ensure that you are ready and will not cause damage to your home by using a fireplace that is filled with soot and debris.
Falling leaves can clog up a fireplace and make burning dangerous. You should make sure that your chimney is not filled with leaves that have fallen before you burn. If you are wary about doing this on your own, you will want to consult a professional as this is a very important part of fireplace safety.
Your wood should be kept in a location where it will be free from pests and also where it will remain dry. This will be conducive to your burn and this can make it easier to get a fire going on the coldest of nights. If your wood becomes wet, it will not burn and this can cause you to be very frustrated. This should be a consideration before you purchase your wood.
A fireplace grate can help you to keep your wood off of the fireplace floor where it will not burn as quickly. Your wood will need oxygen to burn effectively and this grate will help to keep the oxygen flowing and you will have a better fire. A grate can be purchased at any fireplace specialty store if you do not have this important item for your fireplace.
There should not be overhang near the opening of your chimney. This can cause a fire that can quickly spread to your roof. If you find that there is tree limbs that are hanging over your chimney area, you will want to call a tree trimming company and get these limbs trimmed before you use your fireplace for the first time. This should not be an outrageous cost if you are just having a few limbs trimmed. You can always get bids for this service and find out which one is the most cost effective.
Getting your fireplace in check before your first fire is the responsible thing to do when you own a fireplace that you want to use. This can prevent a major disaster from happening and safety should always be your first priority.