Tips For Fireplace Care And Maintenance

A fireplace can be a great addition to your home in terms of providing entertainment and beauty. There are a few simple ways that you can make your fireplace safer and easier to maintain. Here are a few ideas for caring for your fireplace. 

Choose Your Woods Wisely

All wood isn't equal in the eyes of your fireplace. There are certain types of woods, such as maple and oak, which burn more cleanly and leave less residue behind. If you have a choice of which woods to burn, choose a harder wood that will produce less smoke and buildup. 

Install A Liner

A steel or metal allow liner can provide better safety and aesthetics. It's also a great tool to have for keeping embers contained as you tend the fire.

Monitor Creosote Buildup 

The black creosote that builds up after each fire can cause staining over time. Be sure to brush the debris away after each time you use the fireplace. If you want to be more thorough, you can get a small hand pump that will allow you to blast air at the walls of your fireplace to dislodge the debris. 

Inspect Your Chimney Cap

The chimney cap works to keep floating debris and small animals from coming down your chimney. It needs to be checked at least once a year to make sure that it is intact and that there's nothing caught in it. To prevent your chimney from getting blocked, hire a chimney sweep to inspect and clean the cap. 

Fix Cracks in Your Chimney

Your chimney plays a big part in your fireplace's functionality; when there are cracks in your chimney, more of the heat will escape outdoors instead of heating your home. There can also be problems with the sealant between your chimney and your external walls; when this happens, your house can lose heating efficiently. Hire a chimney repair company to make sure that your chimney is intact and has a secure connection to your external walls. 

These ideas will get you started on a better fireplace maintenance system. While it's great to do regular maintenance, there are a few signs that you should look for and repair immediately. For instance, smoke that's coming out of your fireplace and into the home is more than just a maintenance nuisance; call a fireplace and chimney repair company (such as Top Hat Chimney Sweeps & Repairs) immediately if your fireplace isn't performing normally.