If your home has a fireplace, or, especially if you paid to have one added to your home then you should make certain that you maintain your fireplace properly. Proper maintenance is essential to keeping your fireplace working well and safely. There are several different things you can do yourself to help maintain your fireplace. This does not mean you should skip professional maintenance, however. Look for a store or contractor that offers fireplace service in Chicago or your local area. Here are some things you can do on your own in between professional cleanings.
Removing the Ash
This one is simple but essential. When it is cold, and you are using your fireplace a lot you can let the ash safely build up for up to two inches. After that, you should go ahead and clean it all out with a fireplace shovel. During the summer, it is generally best practice to keep it cleaned out.
Keep Your Chimney Free Of Debris
You should leave cleaning your chimney to the professionals, but you should keep an eye on the top. Make certain that no leaves or other debris are built up on the top of your chimney. These can be a fire hazard if they get too hot when you have a fire going. In many cases, you will just need to climb onto the roof and sweep them off.
Cleaning Stains
Fireplaces have stains. It is a part of it; wood does not burn clean. These stains can be difficult to get out, especially with a brick fireplace, but not impossible. Get a spray bottle then fill it with dish soap and hot water, then spray they mixture on the stains liberally and let it soak for half an hour. After it has soaked get a brush and scrub. You probably won’t get it all the first time and may have to make a few passes, but you should usually be able to remove most, if not all, of the stains.
Maintaining your fireplace is a job best left to the professionals, but there are still things you need to do as a homeowner to make sure you are keeping yourself and your family safe.
If you need fireplace service in Chicago, then contact Northwest MetalCraft.
