Tips for Maintaining Your Wood Fireplace

In order for your wood fireplace to function efficiently, you need to properly maintain it. Production of excessive smoke anda build-up of creosote are some of the signs that you’ve been neglecting your fireplace. However, it’s never too late to learn the best ways to maintain your fireplace for efficient, smoke-free operation. Here are some tips tohelp you better maintain your wood burning fireplace.

Keep the Interior Clean

Burnt wood often leaves dirt behind in your fireplace. The debris can be in the form of ash, creosote or dust. To keep your fireplace looking presentable and burning efficiently, clean the interior on a regular basis. Creosote, in large quantities, can be potentially harmful to the homeowner if inhaled over a long period. A clean wood burning fireplace is also less likely to catch fire.

Have a Heatproof Glass Door and Fan Installed

Heatproof glass in a modern wood fireplace helps to contain burning materials such as dust particles and embers, while a fan will boost the efficiency by which heat is circulated withina room. Having a glass door will also lower the likelihood of logs falling out of the wood fireplace and causing damage to home furnishings, clothing or furniture.

Look Out for Smoke

Smoke from a modern wood fireplace could be an indication that the fireplace isn’t efficient and needs some cleaning. Possible causes include a dirty chimney with a lot of creosote or soot, or out-dated firewood burning methods. A blocked chimney could also be interfering with the proper venting of smoke.

Use the Right Wood

Good wood burning largely depends on the type of wood used. For wood fireplaces in Melbourne, hardwood remains the best option for wood to use. Birch and oakwoodproduce more heat and last longer in the fireplace. Softwood should be the last option, as it’s known to produce a lot of smoke due to its low combustion ratio.

Watch Out for Soot

Soot is a considerably dangerous by-product of burnt wood. Compared to creosote, soot is a bit softer and can easily spread over a large area. Soot deposits should be regularly cleaned to prevent build-up.

Dispose of Creosote

Poorly stored and dried woods are more likely to produce creosote due to incomplete combustion of the wood. A build-up of creosote in large quantities can result in the chimney catching fire. Better choice of wood and maximum airflow will ensure efficient burning and less production of creosote.

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Maintain the Chimney

Metal chimneys should be checked regularly for rust, dents, loose screws or dust. A rusted chimney should be replaced immediately. For masonry chimneys, inspect the outer mortar for any cracks. A chimney with missing bricks or cracked mortar should be replaced.

Yearly Maintenance and Inspection

Hire professionals to inspect your fireplace annually. A professional will provide recommendations depending on the condition of your fireplace. A well-inspected fireplace will stay in good condition for a long time.

In Conclusion

Wood heaters can play a great role in keeping your house warm during winter. When inspecting wood heaters for sale, ensure theyhave a compliance plate that illustrates Australian standards.
Other factors to consider include cost, duration of heat, and the size of the house they’ll be used in.