Fireplace 101: Tips for a Safe and Attractive Hearth
The tradition of gathering around the hearth is one that has been with humankind for as long as anyone can remember. Especially at holiday time, the warmth of the fire is a physical reminder of the emotional warmth we feel with beloved family and friends.
If you have a fireplace, then sprucing it up for the winter season is a must. There are several considerations: First, you have to make sure the fireplace is safe and efficient; secondly, see about making it look good, since the fireplace is typically the focal point of the room.
• Make a clean sweep. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys be swept at least once a year at the beginning of the winter to remove soot and debris, especially if you burn wood. That’s because buildup of creosote, the resulting residue inside the chimney, can ignite and endanger your home.
You can do a quick inspection of your chimney yourself with a flashlight. Look up the chimney; if you see any flaking or shiny spots, it’s a sign that your chimney is in desperate need of a cleaning.
A properly trained chimney sweep will also inspect your chimney as well as clean it, making sure it has proper clearances and venting, and have a look up on the roof to see that the chimney cap is in place and that it’s free from obstructions such as birds’ nests, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America. You can find a CSIA-certified chimney sweep at the website www.csia.org.
In addition, tree branches should be trimmed back from the chimney area by at least 15 feet.
• If you have a gas fireplace, it will also need a yearly inspection to make sure it’s working correctly, according to Vicki Warner of The Hearth Shop in Monterey, California. “Especially if you use propane – it’s a dirty fuel,” she said.
• Take a good look at your fireplace – is it ready for prime time? Glass doors should be cleaned; sagging grates or worn-out mesh screens should be replaced. You might want to think about a new surround for the fireplace, the metal frame that wraps around it, if the old one is damaged or just not attractive anymore.
• An annual or semi-annual cleaning of the area around a wood-burning fireplace is essential. Smoke can darken brick or stone; fireplace cleaning products are available, or if it’s really bad, “use TSP,” said Warner. “But if you do, be sure to remove brass or metal first so it’s not damaged.”
A dirty fireplace front may also be a sign that your fireplace isn’t drafting correctly; Warner recommends installing a smoke guard if this is an ongoing problem.
• If your fireplace mantel has been installed according to code, then garlands and other holiday décor can be displayed there. However, keep items off the hearth itself; even if they’re not flammable, they could be damaged by the heat of the fire. Warner also recommends placing candles on the mantel rather than the hearth.
Keep furniture at least 36 inches from the fireplace, says the CSIA, and also find a spot for your Christmas tree well away from the flames. For wood fires, use a fireplace screen to catch sparks before they get into the room; screens come in many different finishes and can add visual interest to the hearth.
• Before turning in for the evening, make sure the fire is fully extinguished. Then close the glass doors, or the flue, to prevent cold air from getting into the room through the chimney. You’ll find this keeps the house much warmer at night.
Sources:
Interview with Vicki Warner, November 2012
www.csia.org
www.nfpa.org
