It is the quintessential feature in most romance movies or ones about Christmas; the wood-burning fireplace.
If you are looking to have one of these fitted, you may have everything planned down to the type of stone patterning that is going to go around the outside.
Of course, a core part of keeping any fireplace functional (and preventing your home from filling up with soot) is to maintain it correctly.
With that in mind, what are some of the things that you and your family need to do to keep your wood-burning fireplace working? Read on to find out.
Schedule An Annual Inspection
This will not need to be booked for a while if you have only just had the fireplace fitted, but you will need to have a professional inspect and clean your chimney and fireplace at least once a year to ensure it is working safely and efficiently.
This is not an expensive process, but it can save a lot of time and damage to your chimney, fireplace, and home. If you have had your fireplace fitted by a company like Stonewoods, they will be able to point you in the direction of a professional chimney sweep who can assess this for you.
Use Dry Wood
It does make a difference in how well the fireplace functions. Only aim to burn dry, seasoned wood in your fireplace to reduce the amount of creosote in the chimney and to improve the efficiency of the fire. This will also prevent smoke accumulation, which can occur when burning wet wood.
Maintain The Damper
Keep the damper open while the fire is burning to allow smoke and gases to escape, and close it when the fire is out to prevent drafts. This will prevent smoke build-up and will keep the chimney clearer for longer.
Use A Fireplace Screen
Fire Safety 101 will require you to keep the fireplace away from small hands and pets. So, use a fireplace screen to keep sparks and embers contained in the fireplace and to prevent debris from entering the room.
Keep An Eye On The Chimney
If you notice that the chimney is blocked, or if you notice any cracks in the chimney, you should have them repaired as soon as possible, to prevent the fire from spreading and to protect your home from the risk of fire. As mentioned before, the chimney should be assessed once a year as part of routine maintenance, but if you suspect that there is an issue before this, you will need to call someone out to have a look.
Also, as unsavoury as it sounds, if you notice smoke backing up into your home, there may be something stuck in the chimney. Plus, if you haven’t been closing the chimney in the summer months (when the fire is not in use), it may be an animal, such as a pigeon. Yikes.
So, don’t poke about in the chimney and call for help. Plus, remember to always keep the chimney block on when you are not using the fire to prevent this from happening.