We finally wave goodbye to winter and usher in spring with a little uptick in temperature. You might have stopped using your fireplace as frequently as you once did before the weather started to warm up. What can you do with your fireplace to prevent it from being completely abandoned as we enjoy spring?
Modern home heating systems have been running nonstop, but the chimney is home to a hidden threat. Creosote is the name of this natural combustion that is greasy and sticky. Also, it is the main reason why chimney fires occur.
Moreover, the fireplace also accumulates dirt and filth in addition to smoke and ash. If you clean your fireplace in the spring, you can be confident that when winter comes again in a few months, it will be secure enough to use.
Springtime ushers in the rainy season. Buildings suffer greatly throughout the winter due to the freeze/thaw cycles that result in cracks. When it rains, these cracks can cause water to flow into the walls and chimney.
So to prepare your fireplace for the spring season, we have gathered some tips for you to follow so that when it's time to use your chimney again, it will be safe and functioning.
General Fireplace Maintenance
As the warmer months of spring arrive, people generally stop using their fireplaces, making this an excellent opportunity to do any cleaning or maintenance tasks that may have gone unfinished throughout the winter.
A chimney will frequently require thorough cleaning after being out of operation for an extended period. Your chimney needs to be well maintained before considering placing a fire in your house. To ensure the space is safe, it must be swept and tested.
It's crucial to sweep and test your chimney routinely. It is done to look for any issues that might harm your chimney's health, like obstructions and blockages. In addition, the sweeping procedure ensures there is no possibility of dangerous gas emissions, such as carbon monoxide, in your home. Lowering the amount of flammable creosote also aids in putting an end to chimney fires.
A DIY chimney cleaning is different from the work done by chimney specialists. The most skilled, qualified specialists use cutting-edge tools to ensure the chimney is free of very flammable creosote. There are three kinds of creosote, but only one may be removed with a brush made for the job.
Eliminating creosote from the chimney is a crucial safety concern. A chimney fire's risk is real and must be addressed before winter arrives and the fireplace is used again. Every season, a fire in the fireplace starts hundreds of house fires because the chimney hasn't been properly cleaned and looked after.
A healthy chimney means a safe and healthy house, and to do this, you must call professional chimney experts to do this job for you while you sit back and relax.
Cleaning Your Wood-Burning Fireplace for Spring
Once the chimney sweeps have taken care of the flue, you must give the fireplace a thorough spring cleaning. Before cleaning, the fireplace should have been unlit for 48 hours to ensure no burning embers. A protective mask, gloves, and safety glasses are necessary. Cover any adjacent rugs, carpets, and furniture before you start cleaning.
Remove Ash and Clean Fireplace Grates
Removing ash from the fireplace throughout the winter is customary to ensure the fire has plenty of air. Put the leftover fireplace ash in an ash can with a lid that is made of metal. Store ash cans on a fireproof surface and away from the house. Mishandling of the fireplace ashes is a major contributing factor to many annual home fires.
Take the andirons and fireplace grate outdoors with you. Remove the debris with a scrub brush and water hose. However, according to experts, only a vacuum made exclusively for fireplaces should be used.
Clean Soot from the Fireplace
Real fireplaces can require a little more maintenance, but the effects are unquestionably worthwhile! You can perform simple cleaning tasks to give your fireplace a makeover while it's not in use.
Before wiping the dirt away with a gentle cleaning agent like warm, soapy water, try brushing the soot and ash from the hearth. Waiting till after your chimney has been swept is a smart suggestion if you are thinking about doing so before cleaning your fireplace.
Close the Fireplace Damper
The damper is a valve that controls the passage of air or smoke in your chimney. Unfortunately, following the final fire of the winter, the damper is frequently inadvertently left open. As a result, the chilly air from your air conditioner may be drawn up your chimney by open dampers and out of the room.
Also, a heavy downpour could pass through your cap and past your damper, flooding your firebox. This could lead to unneeded tension. So it is advised to close the damper in the off-season.
It's not too difficult to close your damper. All you'll need are some gloves and a flashlight.
- Ensure the fireplace has cooled and turn off the gas to the fireplace.
- Next, use a flashlight to peek into the fireplace. Finally, use a vertical lever or pull chains to close the damper. The lever or chain is typically located at the fireplace's inside front.
- To release the lever from its support tab, push it up. Then, when the damper descends into the closed position, pull the lever horizontally away from the tab.
Spring Makeover for Fireplace
Your fireplace and chimney are good fits for remodeling in the spring. The "burn season," which runs roughly from September through the winter, is extremely busy for chimney businesses.
When considering remodeling, put yourself back on your sofa when the fire's burning. What would you like to see over your fireplace? Gas as opposed to wood? A stove or insert?
It's best to achieve that idea in the spring. Then, contact a licensed chimney specialist who can assist you with the perfect spring makeover of your chimney.
You can also do DIY projects to decorate the fireplace and freshen your living room.
A feature wall gives the space a personality without making it feel cramped or clashing.
Since your fireplace is already the center of attention in your living room, the wall it is located on is a great area for a feature wall. Again, painting is a good option as it is best done in the spring when you can finally open your windows and let some fresh air inside.
Deep blue, mustard, forest green, rusty browns, and grey colors are all excellent options that match this year's interior trends if you're thinking of painting the background behind your fireplace a single color.
The experts in fire safety strongly advise homeowners to have an annual chimney inspection and sweep, regardless of whether they have a gas or wood-burning fireplace. Because we value your safety and wish you to be secure, by doing these actions, you may prepare your home and chimney for the impending spring and summer downpours.
The inspection will find any hidden risks and the things that need to be fixed to keep working safely and shield your family from the dangers of fire or carbon monoxide exposure.
Vertical has been in the chimney care business for over 35 years, and we have devoted our time and energy to bring safety to your home. We have spent all 35 years making sure we give our customers the best possible service. Take your chimney to a higher standard with Vertical and contact us today to get a free quote!
