Interested in Your Own Personally Branded Magazine? Click Here!

Want to customize this content for your business?

Learn More

Categories

  • Home
  • Decor
  • Real Estate
  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Recipes
  • Holiday & Entertaining

  • Printables
  • Videos


General

  • About the Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers


Editorial

  • Editorial Calendar
  • Issue Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Pitch an Idea

American Lifestyle Magazine Logo
  • Home
  • Decor
  • Real Estate
  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Recipes
  • Holiday & Entertaining
  • Search
  • Follow
  • 0 Heart
  • |
  • Food & Recipes Categories
    • All Recipes (746)
    • Appetizers (134)
    • Breakfast (59)
    • Cooking Tips (41)
    • Desserts (213)
    • Dinner (227)
    • Drinks (59)
    • Gluten Free (9)
    • Healthy (63)
    • Quick & Easy (56)
    • Vegan (29)
    • Vegetarian (46)
All Recipes | Apr 26, 2022

Simple Spring Alfresco Dining

  • Holiday & Entertaining Categories
    • Christmas (77)
    • Easter (14)
    • Entertaining (40)
    • Father’s Day (6)
    • Halloween (29)
    • Hanukkah (14)
    • July 4th (33)
    • Mother’s Day (8)
    • New Year’s (19)
    • St. Patrick's Day (11)
    • Thanksgiving (33)
    • Valentine’s Day (5)
artistic-easter-eggs
Crafts & DIY Projects | Apr 11, 2022

Earthy Easter Eggs

  • Decor Categories
    • Crafts & DIY Projects (272)
    • Curb Appeal (5)
    • Decorate (62)
    • Interior Design (77)
Decor | May 19, 2022

Maximizing Home Style with Designer Bari J.

Urban Design Associates
Interior Design | Apr 22, 2022

Architects Of the Wild West

artistic-easter-eggs
Crafts & DIY Projects | Apr 11, 2022

Earthy Easter Eggs

  • Real Estate Categories
    • Buying & Selling (195)
    • Home Trends (20)
    • Staging (20)
    • Your First House (31)
landlord-tips
Buying & Selling | Feb 9, 2022

Beginner’s Guide to Being a Landlord

Buying & Selling | Jan 26, 2022

8 Things Not Included in a Home Inspection

virtual-home-tour
Buying & Selling | Jan 19, 2022

The Pros and Cons of a Virtual Home Tour

  • Life & Culture Categories
    • Editorial (272)
    • Family & Pets (193)
    • Finances (22)
    • Health (154)
    • Travel (231)
Canine Stars
Editorial | May 2, 2022

Pup Performances With A Purpose

Hilton Head
Travel | Apr 25, 2022

Lowcountry Life

Anita Yan Wong
Editorial | Apr 20, 2022

Brushstrokes and Progress

  • Home Categories
    • Cleaning (41)
    • Organizing (45)
    • Home Improvement (121)
    • Outdoors & Gardening (83)
Home | May 10, 2022

Prepare Your Patio with the Perfect Accessories

Home | May 4, 2022

How to Stop Bugs from Ruining Your Summer

Outdoors & Gardening | Apr 11, 2022

Never Mow Your Lawn Again

Follow us on social media today!

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Fireplace Maintenance Tips

Home Improvement | By Nathan Smith | 0 Likes
SHARE
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn More

Nothing beats relaxing by the fire on a fall evening. A fireplace is a welcome addition to any room, whether you are entertaining guests or diving into a favorite novel.

However, your fireplace can cause problems if it’s not properly maintained. Read on to learn about each type of fireplace’s specific maintenance requirements.

Most important, no matter what kind of fireplace you have or want to add to your home, make sure you install both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Each is integral in keeping your household safe when using a fireplace.

fireplace

Wood-burning fireplace

This is the classic style many people picture when thinking about fireplaces. Wood burns in the fireplace’s firebox, while the smoke is directed up and outside through a chimney. In addition to the large amount of heat they produce, wood-burning fireplaces create a charming ambiance that many people love. However, traditional wood-burning fireplaces come with some added costs, in particular the need for a steady stream of wood to burn.

Maintenance tips

  • A good rule of thumb is to have your fireplace checked by a professional chimney sweep once a year. A professional can clean the inside of your chimney to remove flammable materials, such as soot and creosote.
  • Test your fireplace before use by burning a few pieces of wood, and make sure the smoke is exiting through the chimney and not into your home, which can be a sign of an obstruction in the chimney duct.
  • Clean the firebox out once a week during the months you are using the fireplace, leaving a small amount of ash (about an inch) on the firebox floor to act as insulation for building the next fire and retaining heat.
  • Be cautious when cleaning your fireplace, as old coals may remain warm for up to four days. It’s a good idea to wait a minimum of twelve hours before cleaning.
  • Keep the firebox completely clean during the months you’re not using your fireplace.
  • Make sure to wear a dust mask when cleaning a wood-burning fireplace.
  • Never use a household vacuum cleaner to clean up ashes—unseen hot embers can damage the device and the vacuum and can spread ash particles into the air. Instead, use a metal shovel to scoop most of the ash into a metal bucket, and then use an ash vacuum to clean the rest.
  • Keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from escaping.
  • Place a flame-retardant rug in front of your fireplace to avoid damage to your floor.

fireplace

Gas fireplace

Gas fireplaces are popular due to their minimal maintenance and the consistent heat they provide. This style of fireplace only requires you to push a button or flip a switch to start the fire or extinguish it, and most varieties use either artificial logs or stones for aesthetic purposes. Some gas fireplaces require a chimney or ventilation system, while others are completely ventless.

Maintenance tips

  • Have a professional conduct a safety inspection and cleaning annually. A professional will be able to clean the fireplace while inspecting it for gas leaks, and he or she can ensure there is proper ventilation.
  • Before operating your gas fireplace, make sure you read the safety manual, turn off the gas, and turn off the pilot light (if it has one). Also, be sure the glass at the front of your fireplace is cool to the touch.
  • Cleaning your gas fireplace once a month, even when it’s not in use, will help prevent dust and dirt from building up and harming the device.
  • The glass fronts of most gas fireplaces are removable, and can be cleaned with fireplace glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Be sure to check the glass for chips or cracks.
  • Use a vacuum with a hose attachment on the inside of the fireplace to remove dirt.
  • Check the rocks and logs inside the fireplace regularly for wear or damage.
  • Periodically check the gas connection to make sure it is secure.
  • If your gas fireplace has an external vent, do a visual check for large debris or other obstructions.

fireplace

Electric fireplace

This style of fireplace is relatively low maintenance and simply plugs into an outlet to provide heat. A heating coil creates the heat and an internal fan helps distribute the warmth into your home. Electric fireplaces create a fake flame to provide a traditional fireplace aesthetic; you can even turn on the flame without the heat to create a cozy ambiance.

Maintenance tips

  • Always unplug your fireplace before cleaning or performing maintenance.
  • Regularly check the electrical components, such as wires and plugs, for any signs of wear or fraying. If you see anything that doesn’t look right, contact the manufacturer to see if it can be repaired, or it may be time to replace your fireplace.
  • Use a dry cloth to wipe down the heater and a soft brush attachment on a vacuum to clean the vents.
  • Dust the inside of your fireplace with a dry cloth. Be gentle around any artificial logs or glass located inside the fireplace.

fireplace

Ethanol fireplace

This modern fireplace uses liquid bioethanol fuel placed within burners inside the fireplace. The burners make it easy to adjust the temperature and turn the fireplace on and off. This is a popular style because of its simple installation and use of lightweight materials for hassle-free wall mounting.

Maintenance tips

  • Never clean your fireplace when it’s hot. Make sure you turn the burners off and let them cool before attempting to clean or maintain your ethanol fireplace, and never pour fuel into a burner that is lit or still warm.
  • Clean your burners with a damp cloth, and never place the burners under water. You can use a mild soap to clean them, if needed, and allow all components to dry before placing them back in the fireplace.
  • If you spill fuel when refilling the burners, clean it up with a dry cloth followed by a moist cloth. Allow the area to dry completely before using your fireplace.

fireplace

Chimney maintenance

Additional tips for chimney maintenance:

  • Install a chimney cap to help prevent water, animals, or debris from entering the chimney. You should also consider a spark arrestor that can help reduce the risk of sparks flying out and starting a fire on your roof or lawn. Some chimney caps come with mesh metal sides that act as spark arrestors. Consult and hire a roofing service to ensure this job is executed properly.
  • Keep your damper closed when the fireplace is not in use. This will help keep cold air, water, and debris from entering your chimney. Always make sure the damper is open when using your fireplace until it completely cools down.

2845 Views

This article is tagged in:

FireplaceHomeHome BuildingHome TipsMaintenance

Related Posts

Home | May 10, 2022

Prepare Your Patio with the Perfect Accessories

Home | May 4, 2022

How to Stop Bugs from Ruining Your Summer

Home | Apr 11, 2022

Never Mow Your Lawn Again

Home | Apr 4, 2022

How to Shield Your Home from April Showers

Home | Mar 2, 2022

6 Products that Automate Your Cleaning

Popular Posts

can-planters-card
Staying Home | Mar 25, 2020

Make Your Own Can Planters

Plan Your Home Projects | Jul 8, 2021

Tips for Redesigning Your Patio Space

12-Direct | Feb 17, 2020

Trash vs. Recycle: Do You Know When to Trash it?

Real Estate | Dec 14, 2017

House Selling Checklist

home office with white furniture
Life & Culture | Mar 30, 2020

Everyone Is Working From Home—Here’s How to Do It Effectively


You may also like:

can-planters-card
Crafts & DIY Projects | Mar 25, 2020

Make Your Own Can Planters

Outdoors & Gardening | Jul 8, 2021

Tips for Redesigning Your Patio Space

Health | Feb 17, 2020

Trash vs. Recycle: Do You Know When to Trash it?

Buying & Selling | Dec 14, 2017

House Selling Checklist

home office with white furniture
Health | Mar 30, 2020

Everyone Is Working From Home—Here’s How to Do It Effectively

spring-cleaning-countdown
Cleaning | Mar 23, 2021

Spring Cleaning Countdown

decorating-basics
Interior Design | Jun 9, 2020

These Tips Are Your North Star For Home Decorating

Share on Social Media

Our mission is to deliver entertainment that inspires and motivates our readers, encouraging them to follow their passions as they explore new horizons.

© 2022 American Lifestyle Magazine

General
  • About the Magazine
  • Advertise
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
Editorial
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Issue Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Pitch an Idea
Categories
  • Home
  • Decor
  • Real Estate
  • Life & Culture
  • Food & Recipes
  • Holiday & Entertaining
Follow Us
Facebook Pinterest Instagram Youtube

Customize this content for your business!

Learn More

,