How To Improve Your Fireplace
Fire is essential in every house, but not all are lucky enough to have a functional one. If even you are one of those people who own a fireplace with no flame, do not be discouraged. There are different ways to improve your fireplace that will change it from being just a lawn ornament into the center of attention in your living room.
1. DAMPERS
The damper is located between the top of your fireplace and the roof. Dampers allow air to flow through the chimney by keeping both sides open at all times. This can make it hard for heat to escape, making it perfect in cold climates where there are harsh winters. It is important that when you install a damper, you should never block off the flue since this will create problems in your household appliances such as electric furnaces or water heaters.
2. SPARK ARRESTOR
Spark arrestors are used to keep two different things separate: one side is meant for exhaust while the other is for fireplaces. Make sure that you have a clean, heavy wire mesh if you intend on having a spark arrestor. Don’t use mesh because this will allow the sparks to fall through. To remove the large pieces of debris from your fireplace, use a leaf blower, and it will be as good as new.
3. CLEANING BRUSH
Cleaning can be used to dislodge soot and creosote buildups around the damper and inside the flue. This is often caused by fires that produce many toxic fumes and chemicals, so you should always ensure that it does not become too congested. If ever there was an issue with creosote buildup, this makes wood burn slowly because it doesn’t catch fire easily because of its vicious nature. Make sure that you clean the fireplace every year to remove all of these buildups.
4. GAS OR WOOD-BURNING STOVE
A gas- or wood-burning stove is more efficient than a traditional fireplace because it gives off heat directly instead of allowing heated air to go up the chimney. This way, less energy needs to be used because heat will not escape your home. The only downside will be to keep warm by using firewood since this can pose some health hazards in your household if not done properly.
CONCLUSION:
A fireplace is much more than just décor. It adds warmth and comfort to every household, so it should always be taken care of. If you are looking for ways to improve your fireplace, the four methods mentioned above can give you some insight into that.