Wood Burning Fireplace Tips

Have the chimney in your Orangeville Ontario home cleaned at the beginning of the season and before starting your wood-burning fireplace, stove or insert.

The leading cause of fires from wood-burning appliances is the result of creosote (unburned fuel) that has accumulated in the chimney.

It is a good idea to have the operational parts of your fireplace inspected annually. Any gasket material should be inspected and replaced as require. For example, the gasket sealing the door, the door glass, and the ash dump. If an airtight appliance is operated without these gaskets effectively sealing the openings, excess air can leak into the firebox, creating an over fire condition, which may permanently damage the appliance.

If your wood-burning appliance has a blower, clean it regularly. It’s important to prevent the buildup of dust, dirt and hair on the blower. There is no filtering system on these blowers like on a furnace.

Maintain the brick lining in your wood burning appliance. Make sure to replace any broken or deteriorated brick. While cracks in the lining are not a concern, if the brick lining is deteriorated to the point that the steel body is exposed, the heat from the fire can cause permanent damage to the appliance.

It’s also important to burn the right kind of wood. Never burn treated wood. If you are unsure, don’t burn it. Know your wood. Use only dry, clean, natural wood. Wood should be cut, split and stacked in a covered area for about six months before burning.

Another important point is to make sure you replace the batteries and test any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you have in your home to ensure these defense monitors are operating properly.

Consult with your local Orangeville Chimney Sweep for professional services.

Gas Burning Appliances

Have a qualified technician service the appliance in your Orangeville home, including having the airways of both the pilot and main burners cleaned to ensure they are operating correctly.

If your gas-burning appliance has a blower, clean it. Unlike your furnace blower, these blowers do not have a filtering system to prevent the buildup of dust and hair on the blower. As the dust accumulates on the blower blades, the balance of the blower will change, causing premature wearing of the bearings. The dust also insulates the motor; preventing it from being cooled, and can eventually cause the motor to cease up.

If you have optional remote transmitters be sure to replace the batteries in it and in some cases, in the receiver as well. Even when not being used through the warmer months, the power held in a battery is slowly depleted.

Again, always make it a point to replace the batteries and test any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you have in your home to ensure these defense monitors are operating properly.

Consult with your local Orangeville heating specialists for professional services.