Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace

Nothing warms a home like the roar of a wood burning fireplace. If you have one, it's important to maintain it regularly to avoid dangerous creosote build-ups.

A damper is an essential component of maintaining a healthy combustion. The type of firewood used can affect the outcome and hardwoods like oak and ash producing less creosote than softwoods.

Energy Efficiency

Wood fireplaces are a beautiful feature that creates a warm atmosphere and also provides warmth. However, they aren't efficient in energy use and can result in harmful air pollution if they aren't properly maintained. The type of wood used as well as the condition and quality of the firebox, the chimney installation and chimney can significantly impact the efficiency of the appliance.

Firewood is the primary fuel source for a wood-burning stove. It is typically bought in face cords or full cords (measured as 4'x8"x8") Before burning firewood, it needs to be "seasoned", to reduce the amount of water and increase its energy density. If the wood is damp it won't burn effectively and will result in a lot of creosote. Seasoning wood typically takes months to a full year or more, depending on the weather and climate conditions.

A wood burning fireplace requires a significant investment in both money and time to maintain it properly. In addition to purchasing large quantities of firewood, homeowners must regularly check and clean their fireplace. This is to ensure that the chimney is clear of obstructions, operates properly, and that there is no combustible material close to the fireplace. Regular cleanings and inspections will help reduce the risk for fireplace and room fires.

Smoke from a wood-burning stove contains fine particle pollution, which can damage the lungs and lead to serious health issues like lung disease, cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. It also releases airborne toxic pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, benzene and more. Wood smoke is a contributor to the reductions in greenhouse gases and ozone, which can impact the climate of the earth.

Wood stoves that are EPA-certified efficient use an additional combustion process to minimize the production of harmful emissions when firing. They also require a proper size chimney as well as an air flue liner in order to maximize performance. It is also essential to buy seasoned firewood and beware of the temptation to add accelerants such as lighter fluid, gasoline or butane torch to the flame as it can cause fire to become too hot and lead to a hazardous situation. To avoid termite infestation homeowners should also store their firewood in a safe location away from their homes.

Cleanliness

Wood-burning fire places are a fantastic alternative to other heating methods. They also create a peaceful ambience. They can be used as primary or as supplemental heat and may qualify for tax credits. They can be messy, and require regular cleaning in order to prevent soot and creosote buildup. A dirty fireplace can create unpleasant odors, toxins and can negatively affect air quality in the home.

The most important thing to remember when using a wood fireplace is to always use dry firewood. Kiln dried firewood helps reduce creosote buildup as well as soot. Kiln dried firewood can be treated in a heated oven, or kiln, to remove all of its moisture content. It is also a good idea to only burn clean, seasoned (burned) wood that has been split and stacked for a few months prior to use.

Before lighting a fire, remove ash from the floor and around the grate and smoke shelf. Make sure that the ashes are cool before scooping them into a metal waste bin to dispose of. With the whisk or a dust pan, broom Also, sweep and dispose of any other stray debris that has accumulated around the fireplace.

Wear gloves and an apron when cleaning a fireplace in order to protect yourself from the dust, soot and dirt that are created. To protect your furniture from stains, clear the area and cover it with drop cloths. Wear a mask to ensure that you don't inhale any particles of soot or ash.

Fill a large bucket up with warm water. Add 3.8 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (TSP) 1 cup of bleach, and 2 tablespoons of household ammonia. Mix well and then dip a nylon brush in the solution and scrub the walls and areas of your fireplace. After you have scrubbed the walls and the areas around your fireplace, wipe it off with an aqueous, damp cloth.

Repeat the scrubbing, rinsing and wiping until all visible deposits are removed from your fireplace. Once you're satisfied with your cleanness you can use the glass cleaner that's safe for wood-burning stoves for cleaning any glass doors.

Aesthetics

Wood fireplaces are beautiful and cannot be compared to modern propane or gas fireplaces. The rustic appearance of wood fireplaces and the sound of a fire roaring and the warm feeling they give have stood the test time. Many people search for this feature when buying a fireplace.

While wood-burning fireplaces are great for heating but they also release harmful gases into your home. Carbon monoxide, smoke and other gases can cause lung damage. While the Fireplaces & Stove are usually well-ventilated, it's important to have an effective system in place to aid in eliminating these toxins. This is the reason why many prefer using a zero clearance wood burning fireplace to reduce the amount of harmful gases in your home.

There are many ways to design your wood fireplace to create a unique visually appealing. You can use reclaimed wood to give it a more rustic feel, or you can choose to paint it to fit with the decor of your living space. You can also include an uphill stone staircase that is connected to the fireplace. This will make an attractive and functional feature in your home.

You can also alter the color of your chimney. Black is a popular choice since it looks fantastic and works with the majority of homes. You can also paint your fireplace white which opens up the space and creates a bright and airy environment. Gray is another option that can be paired with many different styles and is a trendy trend. Some homeowners mix gray and beige together called greige to highlight this versatility and aesthetic.

The best way to make a fireplace look less old fashioned or obtrusive is to paint it to match the walls around it. This can be done in a deep neutral that is on-trend, like grey, or a warm and earthy tone such as brick or terracotta red. The idea is to create a unified space that does not draw attention to itself, but rather blends in with the rest of the room. If you are unsure about which colour to go for, you can always ask a professional for advice.

Safety

If they are not maintained and operated correctly 200 Sq. Ft. Wood Stove Sale burning fireplaces that are not properly maintained and operated can be a serious risk to safety. They emit fine particle pollution that can enter deep into the lungs and cause lung disease. They also release dangerous air pollutants such as carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and benzene. Wood smoke is also a contributor to climate change by releasing methane and carbon dioxide.

The flue of a wood stove should be cleaned and inspected regularly to ensure it's functioning correctly. A clean, well-functioning flue helps keep carbon monoxide leaks from becoming dangerous and chimney fires.

If the flue's is showing signs of wear, it must be replaced or repaired as soon as it becomes apparent. It is also important to keep all combustible items away from the wood stove, such as curtains, drapes and other flammable items. Cross-ventilation is a fantastic method to move warm air around the house so it doesn't go back up the chimney.

Regularly sweep out the ashes to avoid them blocking the airflow and building up too much. Too much ash can restrict the oxygen supply to the logs and decrease combustion efficiency, which also creates more smoke. The ashes must be kept in a bucket made of steel or other noncombustible container.

Make sure that children are not in the area around the fireplace, particularly when there is glass on the front. If they touch hot surfaces, both during and after the fire, they could get burned. The numerous tools employed to maintain fireplaces, like shovels, pokers log lifers, brushes, and others can be hazardous for children to handle. A three-foot "safety zone" should be established around the fireplace to prevent children from coming into contact with it.

Installing an alarm for carbon monoxide and detector in your home is a good idea too, especially if you have a wood stove. Carbon monoxide can be poisonous and be a problem when the wood stove and chimney are not working properly.

It is also essential to verify the local, state and tribal regulations regarding small wood stove-burning fireplaces. These may include nuisance/odor rules, "no-burn" days and visible emissions or opacity limits on the smoke that is emitted from chimneys of homeowners. These laws are often designed to reduce air pollution and safeguard public health.