Springtime is the perfect time to properly care for your fireplace. Keeping up with regular maintenance aids the longevity, safety and efficiency of your appliance.
Here is a list of some checks you can do across your installation to keep it in tip-top shape:
Rope seals
These seals form an airtight seal around the fire door of your stove, preventing combustion air from being drawn into the fireplace. If your rope is faulty or degraded, the airtight seal will be compromised, causing you to have difficulty controlling your fire and burning through fuel much quicker.
Many homeowners replace the rope themselves. It is important that you wear protective gloves as glass rope seals and high-temperature adhesives can irritate the skin.
The right size of stove fire rope will be detailed in your fireplace manufacturer’s instructions.
Firebricks:
Firebricks are available in various shapes, sizes, and materials, making it difficult to spot any major signs of damage. Hairline cracks are not a cause of concern, and you can continue using your fireplace without the need for an immediate replacement if you spot these. Once these bricks start showing signs of larger cracks and begin to crumble it is crucial that you replace them.
To keep your firebricks in a good condition:
– Avoid overfiring your fireplace
– Don’t throw fuel into the firebox
– Avoid forcing fuel into your fireplace; only load the appropriate amount
– Burn the suitable fuel for your fireplace
– Use good quality dry fuel
Baffle Plates:
Your fireplaces throat plate or top plate can buckle or burn out due to its position at the top of your stove’s firebox. If any signs arise of buckling or damage to your stove’s baffle plate, it will likely need replacing soon.
The baffle plate should be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions – this is usually once a month but can vary across appliances.
Stove Grates:
Your grates and grate bars bear the brunt of the heat inside your stove, they will wear down over time. It is important to regularly inspect your stove grates and replace them when you first spot signs of warping or thinning.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm:
With regular checks of your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are vital for your safety. Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas that is odorless and colorless, making it difficult to detect without a functioning alarm.
Ventilation:
A fireplace requires ventilation for safety and efficiency. Always check that ventilation in your home is not blocked. Correctly functioning ventilation enables your fireplace to burn efficiently and allows for fresh air to be circulated around the room.
Stove Ash:
The ash left in your fireplace can be a fire or carbon monoxide hazard. There are some fireplaces that operate with a small amount of ash – ensure you check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine what is best for your fireplace.
Stove Exterior:
Regularly cleaning the exterior of your fireplace using a lint-free cloth or a clean shoe brush, wiping away any soot or dust that has accumulated is good practice. A household vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove traces of dust or fully cooled ash. This will help prevent any build-up that could potentially damage the exterior of your fireplace.
It is not recommended to use a damp cloth or water to clean the exterior of your fireplace, this can cause rusting over time.
Chimney Sweeping:
No matter what type of chimney you have, even if it is lined, it still requires a chimney sweep.
– if you burn wood, you should have your chimney swept at least two times a year.
– if you burn smoke-less fuels, you should have your chimney swept at least once a year.
The best time to have your chimney swept is just before the heating season, or after your fireplace has not been used for a long period of time. When you do sweep your chimney twice a year, the second-best time is after the peak of the heating season.