Undoubtedly, the fireplace is a wonderful addition to any home. It straightforwardly brings style, ambiance, and warmth to a space. Whether a modern or traditional fireplace, both offer tremendous value to the home.
However, the traditional chimney is still a hit in most households for several reasons. Low operating costs and low maintenance are few to name. But, to get the most out of traditional chimneys, regular maintenance and their best condition is imperative. A highly maintained fireplace saves time, and money, adds value to your home, and amazes friends and family members.
Unlike modern heating systems, first-level maintenance of traditional chimneys is fairly easy. So, if you were searching for ways to keep it intact and well-maintained, look no further. Here we have curated the rock-solid tips to help you maintain a traditional fireplace in no time.
6 essential tips for maintaining a traditional fireplace
1. Clean the interior
The continuous wood burning leads to the deposition of dirt, ash, creosote, and dust inside the fireplace. Thus, you must regularly clean the fireplace’s interior to keep it clean. It makes it look presentable and enhances its working efficiency.
Also, the accumulation of creosote is quite dangerous in the home. Its fine particles can transmit through the air, causing different air-borne diseases. In addition, regular cleaning prevents unnecessary fire catches.
Do wear a dust mask when you decide to clean the fireplace to prevent inhalation of these hazardous particles.
2. Watch for smoke
A well-maintained and efficient fireplace never sends smoke into your home. So, if you notice smoke coming out of the fireplace, it can signal that your fireplace needs immediate cleaning.
However, a fireplace can send off smoke due to several reasons. It includes:
- Wrong wood burning practice
- Dirty chimney with buildup (soot or creosote)
- The buildup of dirt and debris blocking the passage of smoke
3. Burning the right wood
Many are unaware of the fact that wood burning is an art and science. So, it is vital to understand the wood types and the best wood-burning practices.
Firstly, you should understand the wood type you are burning, whether cheap or expensive. However, the cost isn’t the only factor determining the wood’s quality.
Experts say hardwood is the best for burning in the fireplace inside homes.
Different wood from oak, birch, and ash has a plus point as they burn hotter and for a prolonged time. They even can be easily handled and leads to lesser creosote buildup.
Contrarily, softwood is cheap but not always the right wood option for burning. They produce more smoke and less heat and lead to excessive creosote buildup.
4. Check for soot
Another hazardous by-product of wood-burning is soot. If not managed adequately, its buildup can cause severe issues. It is softer and easily spreads to a wider area, making it very difficult to clean.
When present in large volumes, it can lead to fires. So, it is highly recommended to clean fireplaces for soot buildup regularly.
5. Remove creosote
Another harmful buy-product of incomplete wood combustion is creosote. It is a dark, hard, and highly flammable substance.
The poorly dried or stored wood leads to excessive creosote production. Whereas properly dried and stored wood doesn’t cause more production. When the buildup of creosote is more, it can catch fire.
In addition, a hotter and higher airflow chimney helps lower creosote production and promotes proper burn. If you witness any kind of buildup inside the fireplace, immediately evacuate the house.
6. Invest in annual inspection and maintenance
No matter how often you indulge in DIY cleaning and maintenance, you must hire a highly trained and reputed professional to inspect and maintain the fireplace annually. For instance, if you happen to be in Seattle, hire the express chimney services. to get the industry-approved inspection and maintenance for your fireplace.
It is even more crucial when the winter season is around the corner. It ensures the fireplace is in the best condition and is fit for the season.
Moreover, skipping some things while you perform your regular cleaning is possible. In addition, you might not come across certain things during routine cleaning. So, hiring a professional will thoroughly inspect and recommend your interest.
Endnote
Regular and timely maintenance is a great step toward achieving an efficient, intact, and fully-functional fireplace. In addition, a well-maintained fireplace keeps your home safe from hazards arising from unmanaged, dirty, or unburnt particles.
So, follow the above-mentioned tips to keep it intact and in the best possible condition for many years.
