During the cold months of the year, fireplaces are of great importance. In addition to providing you with warmth, they also serve as great places for you and your family to relax after a long day. To keep your fireplace safe and healthy you need to observe a number of tips:

Watch the wood you burn in your fireplace

The type of wood you burn determines the amount of heat that your fireplace has. It also determines the frequency at which you hire a chimney cleaning professional. Soft, wet wood increases the creosote deposition and as a result, you have to hire a professional to clean your fireplace more often. To be on the safe side you should only burn seasoned hardwood such as hickory, maple, and oak. In addition to this wood giving you more warmth, it also doesn’t bring about a lot of creosote deposition. You should avoid burning wood that has been painted or made with glue.

Take care of your chimney

When the chimney is working properly you are safe. One of the major problems with chimneys is the obstruction that is common when the chimney is blocked by creosote, animals, bird nests or other objects. An obstructed chimney is dangerous as it prevents smoke and other gasses from leaving the house. To keep your home safe you should hire a chimney repair professional at least once a year to undertake chimney inspection. The professional should inspect both the inside and outside of the chimney. If the chimney requires cleaning, you should hire a certified and experienced professional to do the cleaning.

In addition to the chimney, you should also ensure that the firebox is clean and well maintained. You shouldn’t allow ash to accumulate in the firebox as it lowers the air quality in your home. When sweeping, always sprinkle coffee ground over the ashes to reduce flyaways.

Improve the look of your fireplace

We all love beautiful things and the fireplace should be one of the beautiful things that you should have. If your fireplace is old or has a beaten up look you should work at improving its look. The easiest way of going about it is by painting it. For ideal results ensure that you use a color that complements your home décor.

Conclusion

The fireplace should be both functional and attractive. To have an easy time work with an experienced fireplace repair professional.