Tips To Maintain Your Fireplace: How To Stay Warm And Safe

Having a fireplace can be a fun pastime year-round - depending where you live

. In the winter, a fireplace can be an excellent way to lower your fuel costs. They are also perfect for romantic evenings and special occasions, which can be spend curled by the fire. The entire family can make memories having an indoor camp-out and making s'mores. After all, nothing says cozy, home comfort like a crackling fire.

However, having a fireplace does mean you have to do upkeep to keep it in good working condition. Here are some simple tips to maintain your fireplace so you can safely enjoy it for years to come.

- Have your fireplace checked by a professional. Make sure the individual or company is certified to do inspections. They will clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney to be sure it is safe to use.

- Install a chimney cap. Whether made of metal or masonry, these caps go outside on the very top of your chimney. They will keep rain from going down your chimney and damaging your fireplace and home. They also keep unwanted animals like birds and squirrels from making a home inside the chimney pipe. These caps are also important for safety. They will prevent any sparks from a fire to fly out onto your roof or yard. This will eliminate a chance of fire. The cap will keep anything from blocking airflow through the chimney. This is important to keep dangerous carbon monoxide from backing up into your home.

- Be sure you have proper fireplace tools before making a fire. You will need them to handle the logs and properly clean your fireplace.

- Take some time to look around your chimney outside and be sure there are no tree branches too close. Keep them trimmed back to eliminate any extra fire hazards.

- If your fireplace has glass doors, they will probably have stains from the flames of the fire. When you are ready to clean the doors, be sure they are cool. Use a safety razor blade to scrap off the extra goo. Then use a mixture of dish detergent and water in a spray bottle to clean the rest. You can wipe it off with a sponge or even a newspaper. Never use harsh chemicals when cleaning your fireplace they can leave a flammable residue. And the residue may be dangerous to breathe this will keep your indoor air quality safe.

- Be sure you allow plenty of time for the fire to go out and cool down before cleaning out the ashes. Coals can be hot for a couple of days after you put out the fire. Always open the damper when cleaning out ashes so the dust will go up the chimney, not into your house. Wearing a facemask and having a window open for ventilation. Since some of the coals may still be live, do not use your vacuum to clean the ashes. Use a metal shovel to scoop them into a metal container. Dispose of the ashes away from anything combustible. Be sure to clean the firebox at least once a week when you are using it regularly to keep it in tiptop shape.

by: Chris Ramsey

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