People love wood burning fireplaces for the warmth and the light and the cosiness they provide and there is nothing quite like it in a country like Manitoba where winter is for several months. This is especially important because cleanliness and care of fireplaces are not only vital in efficiency of the fireplaces but are also to ensure safety and longevity of the fireplace. To help consumers of wood fireplace in Manitoba, this guide provides simple methods on how to keep the fireplace in the right condition throughout the year.
1. Regular Inspection and Cleaning
The features mentioned above are important in ensuring that your wood fireplace is well maintained especially through the inspections. It is so crucial for the residents of Manitoba to perform these inspections before the heating season a well as during it. Check for such things as cracks, spalling, signs of a chimney fire, and creosote accumulation as they are the signs to tell you it is due for a sweeping. Ideally, you should check your fireplace at least once annually and even more often if your fire place is used frequently.
It is important that your fireplace is cleaned on a frequent basis to allowing for proper use of the fire place. Ashes must be taken out of the firebox once they have cooled, are solid and easy to stir. You just need a shovel and a brush to sweep away the ashes then use an ash vacuum cleaner to will clean out the dust. This will eliminate the accumulation of ash that causes reduction of air and efficient combustion in a fireplace.
2. Chimney Sweeping
Chimney is part of the entire wood fireplace system, and proper maintenance of it involves cleaning for safety reason. Charring, which is produced due to burning of wood, can stick on the walls of the chimney and become a threat to fire. Thus, if the residents of Manitoba depend on regular use of the fireplace during winter, it is advisable to hire the services of a chimney sweep at least once every year. They will clean the chimney and inspect for structural damage that will impact on the performance and safety.
3. Check for Creosote Buildup
One of the major challenges that comes with using wood fireplaces is build-up of creosote. This flammable substance can accumulate in the chimney and therefore be a fire danger. In order to avoid hazardous fires that originate from creosote it is advisable to have the chimney checked and swept periodically from a professional. Moreover, burning matured hardwood and not burning wet or unseasoned wood will go a long way in preventing creosote production.
4. Clean and maintain vary parts of fireplace installations
Your wood fireplace has different parts and to ensure that they work properly they require regular inspection and maintenance. Look into the damper setting which is primarily the only system used in controlling the airflow and clearing of smoke. A damaged damper could become stuck, which in return affects the efficiency of burning and a lot of smoke contained in the home.
Check on the firebox for any signs of crack or signs of damage. If there is any, visible damage then the issues should be fixed without waiting for a problem to arise later. Also, one has to check the stability of the fireplace grate and its condition, whether it is worn out or not. Indeed if some parts are harmed then it is ought to be replaced or repaired so that the fireplace must remain efficient and secure.
5. Use Proper Wood and Fuel
It has been seen that the type of wood that is burnt has a major influence on the ability to keep the fireplace clean as well as efficient. In Manitoba, where temperature drops very low, the best thing is to use seasoned hardwood. Hardwood also burns longer, cleaner than softwood resulting in minimal creosote, and smoke formation. Do not use green or unseasoned wood; it smoulders which results into more smoke and creosote hence more cleaning and dangers.
6. Ensure Proper Ventilation
You also require proper ventilation so that your wood fireplace can work safely as well as efficiently. Make sure that there is free passage through the flue or; the chimney and that the fireplace is well supplied with air. Proper ventilation assists in proper combustion of fuels and minimizes chances of pollutions from inside sources.
7. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
The major factor that has to be considered when using a wood fireplace is safety. It is important that everyone should fit a carbon monoxide (CO) detector next to the fireplace or any part of the house. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is usually formed by inadequate combustion, or where chimneys are blocked. A CO detector will detect a high level of this gas which will help you address the problem before it becomes worst.
8. Schedule Professional Maintenance
Nevertheless, it is advised to clean and inspect your wood fireplace now and then to properly maintenance it, you may seek the services of a professional chimney cleaner. Having a competent technician do the check-up may also be important since he may notice some problems that the average layman may not see. This professional service can be useful in making certain that your fireplace runs without any hitch all through the heating season.
Conclusion
Proper and timely cleaning of wood fireplace is very important to reduce the risk of fire as well as to have efficient use of the fireplace by those who live in freezing places such as Manitoba. Thus, the following tips will help the users of Wood Fireplaces in Manitoba get the heat and comfort that is needed while keeping their fireplaces efficient and safe for a long time: Frequency of inspection, chimney sweeping, and correct kind of wood.