Maintaining Your Niagara Falls Fireplace Between Chimney Cleanings
A wood-burning fireplace is a true joy to have in your Niagara Falls living room or bedroom – but they do require some cleaning and upkeep. It’s vital to call for a professional fireplace chimney cleaning at least once a year, but even then, you need to do some basic maintenance on your fireplace as you use it.
At Stamford Fireplaces, we want people across the Niagara area to enjoy their fireplaces for years to come, so let’s talk about year-round cleaning and maintenance.
How To Maintain Your Fireplace Year-Round
1. Always check the damper before lighting
The damper is a hinged piece of metal that keeps your chimney closed off when the fireplace is not in use. This should always be kept closed, except when making a fire – which means it’s vitally important to always check the damper before actually lighting the fire. Otherwise, you could send a ton of smoke into your room, and into the chimney and mantle.
2. Regularly clean out the ashes
You don’t need to clean out your ashes after every fire, but you do need to keep an eye on them. Generally, it’s time to clean them once they are high enough to reach the grate. Then they can simply be swept or vacuumed up.
But be careful! Embers and small bits of wood can actually stay hot for up to three days after your last fire. Be certain the ashes are fully cool before you clean them up.
Also, try to leave around an inch of ash at the bottom. This helps light your next fire.
3. Use a chimney cap – and make sure it’s in good shape
A chimney cap is what it sounds like, a covering at the top of the chimney with a mesh on it. This prevents critters and debris from slipping into your fireplace, and it also helps prevent water from getting in as well.
When you get an annual fireplace chimney cleaning in Niagara Falls, they’ll check the chimney cap while they’re up there – but keep an eye on it. If it breaks it could prevent smoke from escaping.
4. Use high-quality wood
Cheap wood tends to be moist and soft, which both cause a lot more smoke to be generated. The best wood for a fireplace is well “seasoned” hardwood – like oak, ash, or maple – which has been allowed to dry out for at least six months. This generates the least smoke, and therefore leaves the least soot on the inside of your fireplace and chimney. Plus, the fire is hotter and more pleasing as well.
It’s definitely worth the slight extra expense to buy good wood.
Stamford Fireplaces
Stamford Fireplaces has been serving the greater Niagara area for over 40 years, with the best in fireplace models, installation, and cleaning services. We’re here to help you get the most from our fireplace, year after year.
If it’s time for your annual fireplace chimney cleaning, contact us for an appointment!
