How To Safely And Responsibly Care For A Wood-Burning Fireplace
Posted on: 13 March 2023
Nothing quite beats the cozy feeling of gathering around a wood-burning fireplace with family and friends. However, keeping your wood-burning fireplace running smoothly requires some maintenance and care. Here are some tips on how to safely and responsibly care for a wood-burning fireplace in your home.
Cleaning Your Chimney
Fireplace maintenance starts at the top. It's important to ensure your chimney is clean and free from any blockages or creosote build-up before lighting any fires. A blockage will cause smoke or fumes to enter your home, which can be hazardous to the health of you and your family. Have a professional come out at least once a year to inspect, clean, and maintain your chimney. It's also important to make sure that there are no birds nesting in it, as this can also lead to smoke entering the house.
Storing Firewood
When storing firewood for burning in your fireplace, it's best to keep it outside in a covered area until you are ready to use it. This step will prevent insects from entering your home and keep the firewood dry so it will burn more efficiently when lit. If you don't have outdoor storage space for the firewood, you should store it indoors in a well-ventilated area away from ignition sources such as furnaces or heaters.
Removing Debris
It's important to regularly remove debris, such as ashes and leftover wood, from your fireplace. Regular debris removal will help you avoid accidental fires and keep you from having to do a more thorough cleaning down the line. Additionally, removing the ashes helps alleviate some of the smoky smell from your home. Make sure you wait until the ashes are cooled off before cleaning, and use a metal bucket or shovel to scoop them up.
Using Seasoned Firewood
Seasoned firewood is wood that has been dried for months before being used in a fireplace or stove. This step helps reduce the amount of smoke produced when burning the wood since there is less moisture present in seasoned wood than in green (unseasoned) wood. Not only does this mean less smoke entering your home, but it also improves efficiency since seasoned wood burns more quickly than green wood thanks to its lower moisture content.
Caring for a wood-burning fireplace is simple if you follow the above tips. Taking proper precautions keeps your home safe from any potential hazards and allows you to enjoy cozy winter nights gathered around your fireplace.
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