Having a fireplace in your home is a luxury that’s not to be missed. A fireplace is great for providing heat, raising the value of your home, and adding an extra cozy layer to your space. However, that luxury can turn into a hassle if you don’t fully understand its maintenance.
This applies especially if you have a freestanding hearthside fireplace. These types of fireplaces don’t require installation from a contractor, making them easy to install yourself. That said, because they’re freestanding, the installation also means that they are more at risk of needing to be repaired yourself.
If you have a gas fireplace o’fallon mo, have it serviced by a professional once a year to ensure that it is operating safely and efficiently.
Keep it Clean and Inspect it Regularly
If you have a hearthside fireplace, it is important to keep it clean. You should sweep up any ashes and debris that accumulate on the hearth. You may also need to occasionally use a putty knife to scrape off any hardened debris.
Check the chimney for soot buildup and blockages. Creosote, a black, sticky substance, can build up in your chimney and cause a fire. You should also have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional at least once a year.
If you have a gas fireplace, have it serviced by a professional once a year to ensure that it is operating safely and efficiently.
Choose the Right Fuel
The fuel you use in your fireplace affects the heat output and can impact its safety. Wrong fuel can damage your fireplace.
Choose the right fuel by determining the type of fireplace you have. There are three main types of fireplaces and each type requires a different type of fuel.
- wood burning
- gas
- electric
Wood burning fireplaces require wood logs as fuel. Gas fireplaces require either natural gas or propane. Electric fireplaces can use a variety of different fuels but most commonly use electricity.
Build Your Hearthside Fireplace Correctly
This means that the foundation is level and the flue is lined up correctly. Ensure it is well-ventilated, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Hearthside fireplace parts must be secured.
Most importantly, hearthside fireplaces must be safe. Adding glass fireplace doors is a good idea.
Put Fire Out Properly
Every time you use your fireplace, you need to put the fire out properly to prevent damage to your home. Here are the steps you need to take to put out your fire correctly.
Let the wood burn completely to ashes, if possible. Use a poker to stir the ashes and embers to make sure everything is extinguished. Pour a bucket of water over the ashes to be sure they are wet.
Lastly, sweep up the ashes and dispose of them properly.
Having a Safe and Well Maintained Fireplace is Easy
Assuming your hearthside fireplace is used regularly, wood should be added every day, and the ashes should be removed once a week. In addition, you should have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected annually by a certified professional.
Following these tips will help ensure that your fireplace is a safe and efficient source of heat for many winters to come.
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