There is nothing more relaxing than the sight of a fireplace burning wood in the cold winter months. The sound of the fireplace and the dancing flames are simply enchanting. Unlike gas fireplaces, this experience needs regular maintenance.
For your comfort and safety, keep your fireplace well maintained with the following tips.
1. Fix the gaps in the bricks
Gaps in the brick mortar inside your fireplace grow over time. With the constant expansion and contraction of the materials caused by the great heat of the fireplace, it is natural for the mortar pieces in the firebricks to loosen and fall off. Fire can find a path through the gaps and burn the structural elements of the masonry. Repair gaps inside the fireplace with a mineral-based filler called fireplace refractory. For this simple fix, you'll only need a putty knife to clean up the loose mortar and a can of compressed air to blow away the rest.
2. Clean the chimney
Unlike gas fireplaces, wood burning fireplaces produce a huge amount of heat and smoke. Wood debris accumulates inside the fireplace and can accelerate the fire in the chimney - a frightening event that the fire department must put out. The chimney is cleaned from top to bottom. Buy your own chimney sweep tools and do the job yourself or call a chimney sweep service. By properly cleaning the chimney you can be sure that foreign bodies have been removed and are not a fire hazard.
3. Buy the right firewood
Your fireplace is only as good as the wood you burn in it. Burning the wrong type of wood quickly damages the interior of the fireplace and can lead to more frequent cleaning. Although softwoods tend to be less expensive than hardwoods, they burn more quickly and leave a fine ash that is difficult to clean. Softwoods include spruce, cedar, poplar and balsam. Opt for hardwoods like maple, oak and birch for a more consistent and warm burn.
4. Fix the exterior of your brick chimney
With the right masonry tools, you can replace any missing brick mortar, break cracks, and repair or replace bricks.
5. Clear the Bricks
No matter how well your fireplace drafts or how airtight your fireplace door is, smoke will inevitably come out of the fireplace. Depending on how black the bricks in the fireplace are, you can clean them with mild, medium or strong methods.
Mild: Warm water mixed with dishwashing detergent is an effective way. Also, rubbing with table salt provides a mild abrasive.
Moderate: Dishwashing detergent, ammonia, and pumice stone up the cleaning game.
Strong: Dense blackened chimney bricks may require cleaning with hot water and trisodium phosphate (TSP).
6. Replace the door on the fireplace
If you're having problems with embers or sparks in your living space, it probably means you need a new fireplace door. Or maybe you just want to change it up for a new look as they come in a wide range of styles and metals. Prevent smoke from escaping the fireplace by installing a proper glass door. These insulating glass inserts trap most of the smoke while still allowing heat to pass into the home.
7. Store your firewood properly
Store your firewood in a grill kept outside the house in a dry place. Take appropriate measures to keep pests and insects away from firewood, as they can be carried into your home.
8. Hire a professional to fix your fireplace
Exterior chimney repair can be a lot of work, so call a chimney repair specialist or mason if you think the job is beyond your scope. Minor defects on the exterior of the chimney are exacerbated by the elements and quickly turn into major problems. Ceilings, attic insulation, and solid wall drywall are some of the places where problems can arise from a poorly maintained, flashing chimney.
The real estate office in Larissa, INVESTA Real Estate, is able to recommend specialized workshops for the repair and maintenance of chimneys and fireplaces. Contact us at 2411104111 and we will be happy to help you.
