Taking Care of Your Fireplace

A fireplace can be one of the most arresting and comfortable parts of any house, and this is why it needs proper attention, care, and maintenance. Home inspections can be done to make sure your fireplace is in good condition, and free of potentially hazardous damages and defects. Homeowners also should take the steps necessary to keep fireplaces clean and safe, as well as to avoid unexpected accidents and hazards that could say goodbye to pleasant evenings around a fireplace.

Here are some general tips, advice, and precautionary measures on how to take proper care of your fireplace.

• Have your fireplace cleaned at least once a year. It’s best to get a certified chimney sweep to do this.
• For fireplaces that operate by burning wood, make sure you always use safety screens and doors.
• Before lighting the fire, always make sure that the flue damper is open.
• Don’t burn green or wet wood. Use only dry, seasoned wood, so that you avoid increasing the rate of creosote buildup in your fireplace.
• Avoid burning wrapping papers, evergreens, and other materials that may suddenly ignite. Keep your fireplace safe by avoiding increasing risks of a flash fire.
• Take extra care with the use of fire salts, which are designed to produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. Keep these away from children, or any hypersensitive individuals, and avoid inhaling smoke that comes from your fireplace.
• Never leave fire unattended, and never go to bed without putting out the fire in your fireplace. If possible, install a working smoke/fire detector in your house.

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