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A fireplace is the focal point on a cold winter’s night. Taking the necessary steps to ensure that the fireplace is built well and cleaned regularly should not be taken lightly. While it is possible to clean the fireplace on your own, it is advisable that you seek services of a professional to inspect it first.

A technician is recommended for chimney cleaning because he/she has the right tools for the job. A drop cloth is laid down, light placed and a vacuum system is plugged in during the whole process. Reoccurring and consistent fireplace cleaning is needed for efficiency and safety.

Wood-burning fireplace cleaning

The specific wood used matters and determines the cleanliness of the fireplace. Using firewood thats properly stored and seasoned will help in prevention of hazardous creosote that may build up and cause chimney fires.

Removing Ashes

A time comes when wood ashes start smelling and interfere in building a fire. This is the time to get rid of the ashes. All you need is to use a shovel and scoop the wood ashes. They should then be placed in a bag and finally disposed of.

In case there is an ash dump in your fireplace, they should be pushed through the metal plate in the firebox’s floor. A vacuum cleaner is needed to remove the ashes that remain on the hearth and inside the firebox.

Soot and Smoke

Smoke and soot accumulates on the surroundings of the fireplace due to poor drafting and the tendency of not closing the flue damper. The area should be cleaned thoroughly using masonry cleaner; make sure to wear gloves and use a stiff brush. In cases where the fireplace is inclosed with glass doors, clean both sides using either a cleaner for standard glass or a customized cleaner for windows.

Expert cleaning schedule

Soot and creosote should regularly be removed because they are dangerous products which can cause fire in the home. One of the major causes of chimney fires is the buildup of creosote. Removing these products will reduce the risk of accidental fires which can easily occur if they are left to accumulate.

Cleaning the chimney and maintaining it on a regular basis ensures that you and your family are safe, and there that the fireplace functions properly. Some logs available at retail stores are said to remove the buildup of creosote. While the logs may have some benefits, according to The Chimney Safety Institute of America these products are not the best substitutes for expert chimney cleaning and inspection since they don’t provide the same protection level to the chimneys.

Clay liners that cover the inside of your chimney flue are called flue tiles. They insulate your chimney against fire hence keeping it drawing and in proper operation. There are times when the chimney flue can get too hot hence end up cracking. In such occurrence, the tiles should be repaired immediately. There are various methods of repair but in any case, a professional is recommended for the replacement.

Cast-In-Place Liner

Flue tiles can be profoundly damaged, or even some may not be available meaning that they are missing. At this point getting a new flue liner can be a better option. So as to fully fill the sides of the duct with mortar, a cast-in-place liner is the best. It creates a stable coating that is smooth and without cracks. It is the best, especially if the flue looks weak due to tiles that could be cracked.

Isolated Cracked Flue Tile

There are instances when just one flue tile can be cracked. If this tile can be reached from the chimney top, then it’s only best that it is removed and replaced. Using a hammer, break the old tile into pieces. Once the tile is broken, it’s easy to pull it with your hand. Using chimney cement or mortar, fix the new flue pipe in place. The tile will be held securely after just a few days when the cement dries.

Widespread Cracking

Some tiles can be cracked in your flue. If most of them are not in a bad condition, then they can be repaired. With the use of new mortar that seeps into the cracked area, the whole chimney is resurfaced. A piece of foam is pulled upward through the chimney with the use of a winch. Tightly, the foam fits the sides of the flue and evenly spreads in the whole chimney sealing any cracks.

Stainless Steel Liner

Dropping a stainless steel liner down the chimney is another great way to repair many cracks in a St. Louis chimney. The liner is lowered into place once the inside of the flue is fully insulated. A damper is used to join it. With a stainless steel liner, there is no need to break the old tiles as it covers and repairs all the cracks. The liner cannot crack since it is just one piece. Furthermore, no crack can harm the operation of the chimney as it fully covers them.

The correct St. Louis chimney pipe ensures your wood stove is safe and that it functions properly. The stove pipe is usually connected at the top of the stove at the ceiling’s base or the wall where it will link with the chimney pipe. Normally, a wooden stove is put in the house’s main living room which leads to direct heating of the room.

Unlike electric appliances, wood stoves do not require any ducts or pipes for heat distribution. Chimney pipes for wooden stoves are made in different lengths and thicknesses to fit into different chimneys. According to the room’s size, the size of the stove should be optimal since the fires of large stoves will be slow and can get very hot.  A stove which is very small will require over-firing since it is not able to sustain the heat needed in the room.

Keeping the pipe clean is very important. Tar and deposits accumulate in the fireplace and in the woodstove pipe too regardless of the type of wood used. A regular cleaning program should be put in place according to the frequency of the stove usage. A fire can take place if this is not done regularly.

First step: know the dimensions and then purchase.

Measuring the size is necessary since sizes of chimneys vary. A brochure from the manufacturer where you bought your chimney can help a lot. Buy the cleaning kit at your local store according to the recommendations in the leaflet. If you need any help, enquire at the hardware customer care.

Second step: inspect the pipe

The interior pipe should be disconnected and brought out into the open. Using a high-beam flashlight, go through the pipe.

Third step: cleaning of the pipe

A bucket should be placed at the pipe’s end to ensure the creosote falls there during cleaning. Using your newly purchased wire brush, vigorously scrub the pipe’s inside to remove grime that has accumulated inside. This process may be needed for several times if the pipe has lacked regular cleaning.

Fourth step: pipe replacement

The pipe should be placed back after cleaning to reconnect the chimney pipe and the stove.

Fifth step: Optional

Creosote cleaning logs may be required. These logs are made up of a mixture containing several minerals. As the fire burns, the minerals attaches to the accumulated creosote which leads to softening of the creosote and prevents it from hardening. This type of creosote comes down to the fireplace in the form of small particles. It ensures the pipes remain clean since there is no accumulation of creosote.

Sixth step: Inspection of the pipe

You can prevent fires by requesting the fire department in your locality to inspect your pipe.