3 Reasons to Clean Your Fireplace

By Samuel Ott

With the fall and winter months approaching, it might be a good time to start thinking about your fireplace and if you plan on using it. Aesthetically speaking, a fireplace is great, but a clean fireplace is even better. It shows that you keep not only your fireplace clean, but your home, as well. This alone will add value to the overall look and appeal of your home.

Aside from the look of your fireplace and how it ties the room together, think about how it can give you comfort and save you money. You’d be surprised at how a clean fireplace can keep you and your home happier, healthier and free of pests.

Ventilation & Safety: The main reason to clean your fireplace is proper ventilation. Many uses of your fireplace leave it looking filthy, whether it’s gas, electric or wood. After awhile debris, cobwebs and ash can lead to poor ventilation. Of course, the one with the most upkeep is a wood fireplace. Gas and electric mostly deal with debris and cobwebs, while wood encompasses includes ash and dirt. Ventilation is vital to protecting you and your home from:

• Carbon Monoxide: This applies to gas fireplaces only. If it’s not ventilated properly, then gas fumes can escape into your house threatening you with potential carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the vents are cleaned on a regular basis.

• Fire Damage/Smoke Damage: Smoke and fire damage apply to wood fireplaces. If not ventilated properly, then smoke can stream into your home and cause smoke damage and even harm your health. Fire damage can be caused due to a loose spark or small piece of wood that flies off the log as it crackles and pops from adjusting to the applied heat. With gas and electric, this problem is avoided, but still deserves the same amount of safety while attending to these fires.

• Odor: If ventilated poorly, wood fireplaces can create an odor from the smoke. It’s difficult to relax when your home smells like smoke.

Pest Problem: A common complaint about having a wood fireplace is the pests and rodents your chimney attracts. If you haven’t cleaned your fireplace in awhile and look to prepare it for the winter, I guarantee you’re bound to find a bird nest and potentially even bats. Yikes! No, thank you. However, once you clean it and start using it regularly, the smoke tends to scare away any pest that finds its way into the chimney.

Energy Efficient: Fireplaces are a great way to save on energy and money. Chances are if you’re going to use your fireplace, you’ll most likely hang around in that room, so there’s no need for other heat sources to be pouring into other parts of your home when you’re not occupying those areas. This concentrates your heat source making it more efficient, so you can turn down other sources during this time.

When it comes to keeping your fireplace clean, first understand which kind you have. Obviously, gas and electric aren’t as much upkeep, but they still require the same amount of attention when it comes to safety. Whether it’s checking ventilation, wiring or sweeping your chimney, be prepared and do your research, since every type of fireplace presents different challenges and offers different benefits.

About the author
Samuel Ott -  
Writer for Paul Davis Restoration of Kansas City, experts in fire damage restoration

What Is Fireplace Door Replacement Glass and Is Your Fireplace Safe?

Fireplace doors require special glass to withstand the demands of your fireplace. We carry replacement tempered and ceramic glass for fireplace doors.

• If you have a standard every-day fireplace, tempered glass is a strengthened glass that can withstand the high temperatures and the falling tools and logs around your fireplace.
  
• Ceramic Glass is for the person that wants the highest quality glass available. People that use it in fireplace doors if they want the added protection ceramic glass offers or the like to burn their fires with the doors closed. If you have a B vent fireplace or a wood burning stove with broken glass, you will want to get ceramic glass as it can withstand the even higher temperatures these appliances produce.

Does your fireplace glass door need replacing? Are you worried for the safety of your home? Check out a wide variety of glass doors for fireplaces and make your fireplace safe before the cooler weather gets here. Here are a few suggestions:

Tempered Glass Fireplace Doors

Ceramic Fireplace Glass for Fireplace Glass Doors

What Kind of Fireplace Glass Doors are you looking for?

Fireplace and Home Fire Safety

Article by USFA Fireplace and Hearth 

More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-fired appliances as primary heat sources in their homes. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the fire risks when heating with wood and solid fuels.

Heating fires account for 36% of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Often these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes. All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to practice the following fire safety steps to keep those home fires safely burning. Remember, fire safety is your personal responsibility ...Fire Stops With You!

Keep Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Clean

• Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
• Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
• Leave glass doors open while burning a fire. Leaving the doors open ensures that the fire receives enough air to ensure complete combustion and keeps creosote from building up in the chimney.
• Close glass doors when the fire is out to keep air from the chimney opening from getting into the room. Most glass fireplace doors have a metal mesh screen which should be closed when the glass doors are open. This mesh screen helps keep embers from getting out of the fireplace area.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces that do not have a glass fireplace door.
• Install stovepipe thermometers to help monitor flue temperatures.
• Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces. Otherwise you may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
• Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.

Safely Burn Fuels

• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only seasoned hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote buildup.
• Build small fires that burn completely and produce less smoke.
• Never burn cardboard boxes, trash or debris in your fireplace or wood stove.
• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.

Protect the Outside of Your Home

• Stack firewood outdoors at least 30 feet away from your home.
• Keep the roof clear of leaves, pine needles and other debris.
• Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
• Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents.

Protect the Inside of Your Home

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Consider installing the new long life smoke alarms.
• Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment.
• Extend all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.

PLEASE VISIT THE USFA FOR MORE FIREPLACE SAFETY
Also Check out these great Fireplace Glass Doors - Safety for your Fireplace

10 Safety Points Around the Fireplace

With its comfortable and warm flickering, a fireplace can be a very appealing centerpiece for any home. Learning about fireplace safety can help you to enjoy your fireplace without worry. Whether you already have a fireplace or you are considering adding one to your home, here are some ways to keep safe around the fire.

1.     Keep a fire extinguisher and know how to use it, just in case you ever need it.
2.     Have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year by a chimney specialist. When fireplace cleaning and maintenance are neglected, it can allow an excess of creosote to build up unnoticed inside the chimney, which can lead to a house fire. No matter what type of fuel you use, always have your chimney inspected by a professional, because regular maintenance is needed to keep your fireplace both safe and efficient.
3.     When you build a fire, enjoy it and don’t leave it unattended. If you‘re around to keep watch, you’ll be able to stop a spark from turning into a inferno.
4.     Don’t leave any trash, decorations, or flammable objects within two feet of your fireplace. Your hearth should be clean and clear.
5.     Consider a mesh screen/curtain on your fireplace, it will keep the embers safely inside.
6.     If your fireplace has glass doors, leave them open while the fire is burning so that the fire can get the air it needs for combustion, because this will help to prevent excess creosote buildup. When the fire is out, close the glass doors to prevent air from coming in the room from the chimney.
7.     Always use fire-resistant materials around the fireplace.
8.     Make sure that your smoke alarms all work.
9.     Keep small children and pets a safe distance away from the fire to prevent accidents and burns.
10.  Burn seasoned hardwood rather than moist or soft woods to lessen creosote buildup.

And most important of all, remember to use common sense. This way, the next time your family and friends gather around the fire, you can be sure that everyone will have a good time and be safe too.

***

Article is provided by safety expert, Jennifer.  Jennifer likes to write about keeping children safe inside the house and in the backyard. With summer approaching, please don’t forget to install a pool safety fence around your pool. Along with automatic pool covers, it can save lives.  

Staying Safe While Using Gel Fuel or Electric Fireplaces

Electric and gel fuel fireplaces have become popular because they do not require a chimney or vent pipe like wood and pellet burning heaters. This allows for a quick and affordable installation in nearly any room of the home. However, these appliances still produce heat. Intense heat can catch paper, fabric and wood on fire if it is too close to the fireplace. Gel fuels also produce real flames, just like a wood-burning open fireplace. Take care to use your electric or gel fuel fireplaces correctly and enjoy the heat without the risk of a house fire.

Gel Fuel Precautions

Gel fuel is alcohol that has been mixed with thickening agents. These additives are also flammable, allowing the gel to burn up completely with almost no fumes or smoke produced. You have a fireplace that is designed to burn this type of fuel in order to use it safely. Gel fuel fireplaces feature special slots or holders to prevent the canister from tipping over while it burns. Setting a container in your wood or electric fireplace can lead to intense and quick spreading fires if the fuel spills.

Use only the appropriate number of cans in your fireplace. Each fireplace will come with a specific number of fuel cans that it can support. Adding more in an attempt to create more heat leads to increased emissions. Each can is rated by the EPA for carbon monoxide emissions, and the EPA recommends burning three cans or less at the same time. Extra fuel also heats up the body of the fireplace. Gel fuel devices are usually portable, and require just a few inches of clearance between the device and flammable materials. Excess fuel heats up the device enough that these clearances are no longer sufficient to prevent fire. Add another gel fuel fireplace if you desire more heat output or additional lighting.

Electric Fireplace Safety

Since there is no combustion and no flame, electric fireplaces are also free of smoke and ash. These devices are about as safe as electric space heaters when properly installed. Most devices are mounted in a wall to save space. Hire a professional to handle the installation. Depending on the design of the fireplace, additional fire-proof boards may be necessary to prevent heat from charring the wall around it. Improper installation can start a hidden fire inside the wall that damages your home's structure before you realize it is occurring.

There is no risk of coals jumping out and landing on flammable materials, but it is still a good practice to keep paper and fabric away from the fireplace. Direct contact will start a fire. Look for models that come with glass doors for the best fire protection. Turn off of the electric fireplace when you are not home or before you go to sleep each night. If you want to use the fireplace for continual heating, you will need to install a thermostat and close the glass doors before leaving it unattended for any length of time. 

About the Author:  Maria focuses on fire safety and prevention, along with writing about the proper use of fire safety equipment for homes and businesses.

Children need fireplace safety even in the warmer months

Recently I had the pleasure of going to the HPB Expo (Hearth, Patio BBQ). I came across some of the most incredible people with amazing ideas. 

My favorite were the great child safety gates, but all the ones that I saw cluttered the fireplace areas and were really quite and eyesore. Then, while out and about in the blogging world I met up with a young lady named Stacy. She has a wonderful product and  I wanted to take the time to show you one that I had not seen.  The reason this is so important to me is I have children and still continue to babysit young children.  

We all know that fireplaces are beautiful and some of them, majestic and just outright elaborate. Regardless of the key components that make your fireplace your centerpiece, fireplace safety is always a major concern and not just when the fire is lit.  Some fireplaces have stone or brick ledges that surround it's base and with a tumbly toddler whose balance is always wobbly, one little trip up and it could be an evening spent at the emergency room. That is why I focused in on this product. 

The business is family owned and operated and their product is recommended by baby proofers across the United States. Its called: Jack-Mat.  It has been featured on NBC's "Today Show" and rated top choice for fireplace safety by the Good Housekeeping Institute. 


Please take the time and check out my good friends over at Jack-Mat and childproof your fireplaces even in the warmer months of the year.


Other Products & Services you may like:
Hearth Seats
Jack-Mat on Facebook
Customer Testimonials & Photos

Chimneys, Inside and Out

Whether it is an extension of a fireplace or a furnace, you should have your chimney cleaned or "swept" at least once a year, for several reasons.

 First, creosote often adheres to the inside of the fireplace chimney. Because of its chemical nature, creosote can actually ignite, rapidly causing a chimney fire and potential damage to the rest of the home.

Burning wood at a relatively low temperature (your cooking stove flame is actually hotter than a fireplace) causes incomplete combustion of the oils found naturally in the wood. When the smoke from a fire rises into a chimney, the residual chemicals may stick to the inside of the chimney liner. This residue becomes creosote.

Second, soot and dust build-up can clog a chimney and diminish heat output. A furnace flue may accumulate a layer of sulfuric acid or chlorine, which can cause erosion and big problems down the road.

A good rule of thumb is to not ever assume your chimney is functioning properly, even if you rarely use it. Animals, leaves and moisture from a buildup of snow or rain need to be taken care of before safe use of your fireplace.

A thorough check for any shifting of the chimnye that may have occurred over the years is also recommended. Years ago, chimneys were built with a section near the top made of terracotta, over time, these sections sometime move, causing the potential for leaks of carbon monoxide through the seams and even a backdraft.

In addition to a good cleaning, chimney inspection includes checking for leaks in the flashing around the chimney, which can cause wood rot and condensation. This, in turn, can damage electrical wiring and present a fire hazard.

by  Joseph Coupal

Mind That Fire!

You know, here at the Fireplace Decorating blogsite we tend to focus on remodeling and redecorating techniques, or on ways to get more enjoyment from the well-built fire, but sometimes we also need to step back and remember a few things about fireplace safety. With much of the nation suffering an exceptionally cold winter this year, a lot of people are turning to their fireplace for added heat. This can be a great idea, and if you’re smart about it, you can even shave a little expense off your monthly heating bill.

Unfortunately, people sometimes get careless around the hearth—burning improper materials, leaving a fire unattended or neglecting proper maintenance of the chimney and flue—and the results? Well, in some cases they can be catastrophic. In fact, every year around this time the news reports start coming in about home fires that started due to carelessness or just lack of basic fireplace safety information. This article from the Buffalo News does a great job of spelling out some of the potential hazards the fireplace enthusiast should be mindful of as fireplace season kicks into high gear.

Of course, none of this is meant to scare anybody. Or, we only want to scare you enough that you practice a little common sense when you build your next fire. If you use a little common sense and invest just a tiny bit in fireplace cleaning supplies and the proper fireplace tools, there’s every reason you should enjoy the rest of the winter with your feet by the fire and your mind at ease.