Maintaining Your Home's Fireplace
Posted on: 4 October 2022
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A fireplace can be a luxurious feature for a home to have. It will allow individuals to create a cozy and comfortable interior space during the winter months. However, the fireplace will need regular maintenance to keep it in good condition, and there are some common mistakes that people will make when it comes to caring for this part of their homes.
Failing To Adequately Clean The Fireplace
After each use of the fireplace, its interior should be thoroughly cleaned. This will remove any ash or soot that was produced by the fire. Failing to remove these substances from the fireplace can lead to decreased performance for your next fire as the ash and soot can decrease the airflow that the flames are getting. In cases where the fireplace uses gas, failing to remove the residue from the burners could prevent the fuel from igniting, which can lead to the residue accumulating more quickly.
Not Having The Hearth And Chimney Liner Inspected
A fireplace's hearth and the chimney liner will be components that will experience some of the most extreme wear. Over the course of time, it is possible for these parts of the fireplace to begin to break down. This may result in the liner and hearth actually developing cracks. If these issues arise, they can have dire consequences as the cracks could allow heat, fumes and smoke to escape into the interior of the home. Once this occurs, extensive damage could occur. Luckily, there are replacement maintenance services that will be capable of completing thorough inspections of these parts of the fireplace. In the event that cracks or other substantial wear are discovered, these professionals will be able to complete the necessary repairs. In some cases, this may involve a total replacement of the liner. This can be a major repair to have done to the fireplace, but it may be an essential repair.
Avoiding Capping The Chimney During The Warm Months
During the summer months, it can be advisable to cap the chimney. This may not seem like an important task, but it can substantially reduce many of the issues that could impact a chimney. For example, capping the chimney during these months can reduce the likelihood of squirrels, birds, or other small animals building nests in it. Many modern chimneys will be constructed with an automatic capping system that can be closed from inside the home. However, if your chimney does not have this feature, you may need a fireplace maintenance technician to perform this work.
Contact a professional for more information about fireplace maintenance.