Fireplace and Stove Maintenance are Essential

A cozy and warm fireplace is an excellent place to enjoy a hot cup of coffee, relax, read a book or cuddle with your loved one on a cold night. Fireplaces are welcoming, soothing and romantic. Plus, fireplaces and stoves help you save on home heating costs. However, as with any heating appliance, proper maintenance is essential to ensuring home safety and prolonging its life. Even if your fireplace has been operating safely for many years, you still need regular maintenance check-ups to make sure that it continues to perform efficiently and safely.

The Importance of Regularly Maintaining Your Wood Burning Fireplace and Stove

A fireplace is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the flames, but it can pose a safety risk as well. When wood burns, it produces byproducts such as hydrocarbons, smoke and partially burned particulates that are expelled through the chimney. As these contaminants vent, they mix with moisture, condense and form a highly flammable substance called creosote, a thick oily substance. With continued use of the wood-burning fireplace or stove, the creosote can accumulate to dangerous levels. Burning embers in the flue can come into contact with the creosote and ignite causing a chimney fire. This is the most common cause of a house fire.

To prevent a fire, regular cleaning of the stove, firebox and chimney is necessary. Scheduling a professional chimney sweep regularly to check for creosote levels can go a long way towards protecting life and property.

Ensure Efficient Burning

If your fireplace is not properly maintained, then it won’t operate as efficiently as it should. If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, use high quality hardwoods seasoned for about six months. Woods with high moisture content create excess ash in the firebox making it harder for the fire to burn. Also, animal nests, twigs, leaves and other debris can cause an obstruction inside your chimney, reducing indoor air quality and exposing occupants to carbon monoxide. Our NFI certified specialist will inspect, clean and safely clear out any debris brought by animal activity and bad weather. Installing a chimney cap can help keep debris and excessive moisture out of the flue.

Prolong the Lifespan of Your Fireplace and Stove

Maintaining and caring for your chimney extends the life of your fireplace, stove, chimney and its internal components. Although chimneys are built to withstand damaging elements they do deteriorate with age. Also, excessive moisture, strong winds and hail can cause structural damage to the masonry that accelerate its deterioration. Various problems with the flue liner, chimney cap, vents, leaks and other problems can develop into more serious problems which can be costly to repair or require a complete renovation. Our NFI certified wood-burning specialists have the required training and professional equipment to make any necessary repairs.

Maintenance and care are crucial to the safety, efficiency and life of your fireplace and stove. Chimney Specialists has two locations in the Tri-State area to serve you. Our NFI certified specialists will ensure your fireplace and stove are safe to use so you can stay warm and enjoy a relaxing sparkling fire.

Contact the location nearest you to schedule an appointment today!

Chimney Specialists Inc

869 Main Street, Highland, WI 53543

Main (608) 929-4887 / Toll Free (800) 395-6660

Dubuque Fireplace & Patio

925 Century Drive, Dubuque, Iowa 52002

Phone – (563) 582-5156