Furnaces and fireplaces are not exactly cheap. Most of these can cost you a couple of bucks, especially the high-quality ones. They give your home a beautiful accent and keep the whole family warm during those cold winter nights in Utah. But a wood-burning fireplace should be properly maintained so that you can make the most out of it. Today, we will discuss some of the things that you should do to maintain your wood-burning stove.
Always Keep the Interior Clean
The burnt wood’s dust, dirt, creosote, and ash can easily build up in your fireplace, which can then ruin it if left uncleaned for a long time. Make sure to clean this area and get rid of the remains after each use so that your fireplace will not get damaged.
Also, your fireplace will look a lot more presentable once you’ve cleaned it up. The burnt particles can also pollute the air inside your home, making it unsafe for your kids and everyone else inside. When cleaning the fireplace, make sure to wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling the dust.
Get the Right Type of Wood
You can burn any type of wood in your fireplace, but burning the right type will definitely help keep your fireplace in perfect condition. If you regularly buy your wood from the hardware, then consider getting hardwood. It might be a little more expensive, but it is definitely worth it.
A few types of trees such as birch, oak, and ash usually burn longer and hotter. They also produce less pitch and sap, which means that you won’t have to deal with too much buildup if you use them. You can get softwood as it is cheaper, but it is not always efficient when burning.
Take a Look at the Cap
Take a look at your chimney and see if it has a cap on top of it. This usually keeps small insects and other materials away, which means that these can build up if not cleaned properly. It is a must to clean this cap to get rid of unwanted debris. If you are unsure about cleaning the cap by yourself, then it is best to hire a professional to do it for you instead.
Have a Professional Take a Look
While cleaning your fireplace and keeping it free from dust and debris will definitely make it last longer, you still have to make sure that you will have a professional take a look at the fireplace every once in a while. Make sure to call a professional in at least once a year to take a look at the fireplace. They can clean your fireplace thoroughly so that you can get rid of any buildup. Additionally, they can also take a closer look at the chimney and the whole fireplace to see if everything is in proper condition.
The first step in making the most out of your fireplace is to keep it in perfect condition at all times. You are actually hitting two birds with one stone. You will also keep your home safe from debris and pollution if you always keep your chimney and fireplace clean at all times.
