An indoor fireplace is a must for houses, as it keeps the entire house warm in winters using a cheap source i.e. wood. Apart from that warmth, an indoor fireplace also adds in a lot of style and ambiance to the house. It is quite important to maintain the fireplace properly so that it works well and stays in good condition. Most of the issues that occur in a fireplace start at the chimney. Hence, get a chimney inspection regularly in order to ensure the proper working of the fireplace. A fireplace that is well-maintained will last longer and will save you a lot of repair costs.
Some tips to maintain your indoor fireplace
In this article, we discuss a number of tips that you can use to maintain the quality of your fireplace. These include:
Clean the interior regularly
Due to burning, your indoor fireplace will accumulate a significant amount of dust, creosote, dirt, and ash. A mixture of these things will continue to build up until it is removed.
Hence, it is very important to clean it all up regularly. Otherwise, the small particles of ash may get suspended in the room’s atmosphere resulting in breathing difficulties. If one breathes in the air suspended with these fine particle, a number of air-borne diseases such as asthma can be contracted.
Install a heat-proof glass
A heat-proof glass will increase your fireplace safety by adding a layer for protection. This will prevent fine particles from suspending in your room’s atmosphere.
At the same time, if you have kids around, the glass will work as a means of protection. This can significantly reduce the chances of getting a burn (one of the biggest fireplace hazards).
However, the cleaning of a heat-proof glass is another added responsibility. Otherwise, materials will start to build-up on the glass. In order to scrape off tough build-ups, you use sandpaper.
Burning the right wood
People say that wood-burning is a science in itself. Hence, it is very crucial to choose the right type of wood to burn in your indoor fireplace. In the market, you can find all types of inexpensive and expensive woods. However, the cost of wood is not the best indicator of quality.
Wood from oak, ash, and birch are more advantageous as they tend to burn for a longer period of time and give off more heat. Since they do not sap easily, it is easy to handle them and they cause less build-up of creosote.
On the other hand, softwood is cheaper but does not result in efficient burning. At the same time, softwood can also result in a significant amount of creosote build-up.
Clean the deposits of soot
Soot is one of the most harmful by-products of wood burning. If not managed properly, you can face a number of harmful soot effects and hazards such as a fire outbreak.
As compared to creosotes, soot tends to be softer and hence, it spreads through the room much easier. Hence, we suggest you clean off the soot as soon as the deposits are 1/8th of an inch deep.
Inspect the fireplace chimney annually
Apart from regular care, it is important to get a chimney inspection regularly. In case there is a build-up of materials in the chimney, reach out to chimney sweep services Bowie immediately. Apart from that, also look for signs of any missing screws, rusts, or dents in case the chimney is made of metal.
Ending note
By proper maintenance and care, your indoor fireplace can last for many years and can work efficiently. At the same time, it will also prevent your house from potential fire hazards that occur due to poorly managed fireplaces.
