Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late To Clean Your Fireplace

I don’t know about you, but I love my fireplace. Even my dog loves to cuddle up near it. Fireplaces are terrific for relaxing while reading a good book and create a nice warm ambiance in a home. The crackling of the wood and flickering of light that is created, makes a home feel that much more inviting.

They can be dangerous if not maintained properly and regularly. Many fires are caused by creosote build-up in chimneys. You should have your chimney checked and cleaned yearly. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Chimney sweeps are hard to get in the fall. By this time they are booked up and very busy. Have your chimney cleaned now, before you find yourself looking at your fireplace wishing you could use it.

Safe Fireplaces:

1. Fireplaces should have a hearth. The hearth in front of the fireplace should extend a minimal depth of 16 inches into the room and no less than 8 inches beyond, on either side of the fireplace cavity.

Some are raised and some are even with the flooring. Brick, bluestone, tile, granite, concrete or other non-flammable material must be utilized with a nominal thickness of 4”.

1. A modified fireplace is a firebox inserted into an existing fireplace. If this type of box is to be used, select one with a 1/4-inch steel liner to reduce the potential for rust.
2. Free-standing fireplaces should be 3 feet from unprotected walls, or other flammable materials. Unless the unit is a zero clearance unit, where the installation should be installed as per the manufacturers instructions. Use wall protection to protect walls within the proximity of 3 feet.
3. A fire-proof base to support a free-standing unit or an insulated fireproof material on the floor beneath the fireplace is required on all self supported units.

Fireplace Flues and Chimneys:

1. Be sure the flue is adequate in size. The flue should be equal to at least 1/10 the area of the fireplace opening for chimneys that are 15 feet or higher. And, at least 1/8 the area of the fireplace opening for chimneys less than 15 feet in height.
2. Confirm that the contractor installs the flue at least 3 feet above the highest point where it passes through the roof and at least 2 feet higher than any portion of the building within 10 feet. If the roof is flat, the chimney should be at least 3 feet above the roof.
3. Metal flashing is necessary to protect areas where the flue goes through the roof. These are used to prevent water from entering between the flue and the roof.  They should be checked annually and either replaced or repaired as necessary.
4. Pipes or flues that connect free-standing stoves and fireplaces to a chimney are at least 24 gauge steel, double walled and UL listed and installed accordingly.
5. Install a metal spark arrester on top of the chimney. These help to prevent any sparks that are generated from landing on the roof and burning through and catching the roof on fire.
6. A masonry fireplace and chimney should be supported on its own foundation wall and footing.
7. Installing a bird and animal guard on the chimney can prevent squirrels, birds and raccoons from nesting and clogging the flue.

Be sure prefabricated metal fireplaces, chimneys and flues are approved by the Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) and installed as specified by the instructions. No pipe should be longer than 10 feet nor more than 75% of the vertical height of the chimney, whichever is less.

If you choose a natural gas “log,” follow instructions for installation and use. Look for the American Gas Association label.

Maintain Your Fireplace:

Fireplaces are not maintenance free and have to be cared for like any other part of your home. Although they look substantial and strong, like anything else in your home, they can deteriorate with time if not inspected and properly cared for.

1. Keep your fireplace in good condition by repairing or replacing any cracks in the flue lining, cracked or loose bricks and repairing or re-pointing the mortar joints. After time deterioration does occur and cracks in the masonry can become a serious fire hazard.
2. Have a professional mason inspect the interior of your masonry flue once every two years or so and make the needed repairs.
3. There are many fireplace companies that will inspect or suggest someone that is qualified to inspect your fireplace and flue for you.
4. Inspect the fireplace and chimney at least once a year to prevent creosote buildup. Depending on how often you use it, have a professional chimney sweep check your flue every year.
5. Occasionally dampers also need to be cleaned, repaired or replaced. These dampers are located just above the firebox. They are used to stop the warm air in your home from escaping and regulate the amount draft going up the flue (although I don’t know of any instance that it has been used for draft regulation). Using a flashlight, you can easily see if it is off the pivots or if it is moving freely, easily and is not sticking. Dampers should be brushed occasionally and checked for rust.
6. Many times I have seen chimneys that have fallen into disrepair because of water freezing and expanding between the bricks causing them to break apart and weaken. Chimney sweeps often have a solution to apply on the surface of stable masonry to protect this from happening.

For A Safe and Sound Operation:

1. Install a screen that completely covers the fireplace opening to keep sparks from flying out.
2. Use only enough fuel to keep the fire at the desired temperature. Avoid “roaring” fires. They can start chimney fires from creosote deposits in the flue and become uncontrollable.
3. Equip the house with fire-warning devices. This is a standard building code requirement.
4. Establish a type ABC fire extinguisher near the fireplace.
5. Keep combustible materials such as carpets, furniture, paper, logs and kindling at least 3 feet away from the fireplace.
6. Arrange andirons so logs can’t roll out.
7. Do not use gasoline or other flammable liquids to kindle or rekindle a fire. These flammable vapors can explode. Never use fuels near a fire. Explosive vapors can travel the length of an entire room.
8. Always check to see if the damper is open prior to kindling a fire.
9. Never burn Christmas tree greens or needles. They cause many sparks when burning which can fly out of the fireplace onto something in the room.
10. Preheat the flue (that is when the flue is warmed to establish a positive draft). This will prevent any smoke from backing into the room.
11. Do not use coal, charcoal or any other substance that is not meant to be used in a fireplace or stove, unless the fireplace is designed to handle the excess heat and smoke which occurs when burning these materials.
12. Be sure that all ashes have thoroughly cooled before you dispose of them. Put ashes in a lidded metal container to prevent a possible fire and provide a sturdy place to store them. Ashes make good fertilizer in gardens, flowerbeds, etc.
13. Be sure the fire is out completely before going to bed.

Air Supply

A fireplace fire requires about 5 times as much air as most houses need for liberal ventilation. With today’s tightly-constructed houses incorporating weather-stripped doors, caulked windows and self-closing exhaust vents, a fireplace can set up reverse draft by drawing the and poisonous carbon monoxide fumes back down from the hot water heater and furnace flues and discharge them into the living area.

In tight homes, the fireplace may also consume enough oxygen from the air in the house to cause problems to occupants. To be safe, a positive source of outside air should be supplied to all fireplaces and wood-or-coal burning stoves to bring in enough fresh air for efficient burning. This can be provided by opening a window when the fireplace or stove is being used. To keep smoke from entering the room, turn off kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and close the registers of forced air heating systems which are near the fireplace.

Storing Your Firewood

Make it a point to store any firewood at least 10 feet away from your home and keep the firewood off the ground by at least 6 inches. This will help to keep any wood eating insects (termites, carpenter ants, etc.) from easily infiltrating your home and firewood. When storing the wood, keep the bark sides facing up. This helps to protect the firewood from the rain.

Keep children away from the fire. Their clothing can easily ignite. Warn everyone in your family about this hazard, especially before a gathering when our minds are not focused on the fire and we may be in another room preparing or entertaining.

The holidays and fireplaces go hand-in-hand and help to create a festive warm atmosphere in any home. They are used most during this time of year so be aware, be safe, and enjoy.

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