Tips For First Time Fireplace Owners
When deciding to add a fireplace to your home it can be exciting to imagine the warmth and atmosphere the fire will bring, but it’s important to understand that fireplaces also come with responsibilities. If you’re new to owning a fireplace, knowing the basics can help you maintain safety, efficiency, and comfort while soaking up the ambiance. Here are essential tips for first-time fireplace owners.
Before Lighting Your First Fire
If you don’t know all the components of a fireplace, you’re not alone. Many people leave this knowledge up to the pros, but having some general knowledge can be a big help when it comes to using and maintaining your fireplace between services – and spotting when something might be wrong. Let’s go over some of the key components you should know!
The Firebox
The space where your wood, gas logs, or other fuel burns is called the firebox. After some time, the firebox can experience damage from heat, smoke, and combustion gasses. If you notice soot build up, cracks, or other signs of wear, it could signal that it’s time for professional attention.
The Chimney Flue and Damper
The chimney flue is a crucial component of your chimney. It provides the smoke with a clear pathway out of your fireplace helping you avoid smoke buildup and exposure to dangerous combustion gasses.
The damper goes hand in hand with your chimney flue. This chimney gadget opens and closes as needed to either allow the smoke to escape while your fire is burning or prevent drafts from coming in through the chimney.
Igniting the Flame – The Right Way
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, choosing the right fuel is crucial to a warm, lasting fire with minimal excess smoke. Some of the best woods include hardwoods such as oak, maple, hickory, and ash. These woods burn hotter, last longer, and produce less smoke than other options.
Woods to avoid include softwoods like pine, fir, spruce, and cedar. Softwoods, as well as wood that has not been dried properly, are known to offer less heat and produce an excess amount of smoke that can lead to smoke build up and an overabundance of creosote in your chimney.
Before lighting your fire, make sure that the damper is in the open position, the chimney and flue are clear, and there are no combustible materials surrounding the fireplace. This will help ensure a safer fireplace experience. If your fireplace has a protective screen or glass doors, make sure to keep them in place while the fire is active to avoid stray embers from escaping the fireplace and creating a dangerous fire hazard.
What Not to Burn
It may be tempting to discard trash or other things in the fireplace for convenience, but it’s important to only burn seasoned wood in your fireplace. Other materials, or even wood that has chemicals like paint, can be dangerous to burn in your fireplace.
When It’s Time for Maintenance
In order to ensure the safety, efficiency, and longevity of your fireplace it’s important to keep up with annual maintenance. Only chimney and fireplace professionals can offer knowledgeable inspections along with professional cleanings to ensure that your fireplace and chimney are in working order.
During these inspections, your chimney sweep will check for any obvious signs of damage or creosote buildup and suggest any repairs necessary to keep the system operating safely and efficiently.
Annual cleanings help to remove creosote buildup and blockages in the flue. This helps ensure a safe, clear path for smoke to exit as well as reducing the risk of a dangerous chimney fire due to the highly flammable creosote.
A Few Final Thoughts from the Pros…
Your fireplace can be an amazing addition to your home, when used and maintained properly. Be sure to burn only properly seasoned hardwoods, keep the space around the fireplace free and clear of flammable materials, and schedule your annual upkeep appointments with a trusted chimney sweep in your area!
Felgemacher is here for you! Give us a call or contact us online today to schedule installations, inspections, cleanings, and more! Our fireplace specialists are here to help make your fireplace dreams come true – and keep them from turning into a nightmare!
