A fireplace is a coveted addition to every home, providing warmth, ambiance, and style to any space. A well-maintained fireplace can increase the resale value of your home and attract potential buyers when you move. Caring for Your Fireplace Read on for tips on caring for wood-burning, gas, and ethanol fireplaces.
Wood-burning Fireplaces
Wood-burning fireplaces can accumulate dirt, ash, and soot over time. This leads to the need to regularly clean the interior of the fireplace to maintain its beauty and combustion efficiency. Large amounts of this debris buildup can become a potential fire hazard or cause breathing problems for those who breathe in the air. Smoke emanating from a wood-burning fireplace should be carefully watched as it can be potentially dangerous. This is often caused by dirt buildup in the chimney that blocks the necessary ventilation required by the fireplace. This can be fixed by inspecting the chimney cap and removing the debris. If left unchecked, obstructions in the cap can lead to the outbreak of a fire.
Gas Fireplaces
In gas fireplaces, debris can often be found in the vents, flues, and chimneys. This can include rotting logs, broken glass, and remnants of a burning fire. It is highly recommended that a gas fireplace be inspected annually by a professional. During this annual inspection, the technician will inspect the interior and exterior of the fireplace, making sure the glass is in good condition, the frame is intact, the log set is free of rot, and existing residue has been cleaned up. Perhaps most importantly, the technician should ensure that the connections under the fireplace and within the home's carbon monoxide detector are working properly. Like any appliance, gas fireplaces can have problems if left unattended.
Ethanol Fireplaces
Maintaining an ethanol fireplace is simple, as it does not require a permanent or expensive chimney, gas piping, venting, electricity, or flue connections. Ethanol fireplaces burn without producing smoke, embers, or soot, which eliminates many common issues for fireplace owners. Maintenance of an ethanol fireplace can be accomplished in a matter of minutes. Simply wipe the burner with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and soap, let dry, and refill with bioethanol fuel. Fill with an environmentally friendly fuel made from all-natural resources. Without releasing any chemicals and toxins into the air, you can enjoy your dazzling fireplace again almost immediately.