The condition of the fireplace
The way we use our fireplace affects its condition and effectiveness at a later time. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the type of wood you use for fuel - it is recommended to use dry and hard wood. In addition, the condition of the fireplace is also determined by the frequency of its use. If we take care of it regularly in autumn and winter, it will be easier to do a general one cleaning the fireplace after the heating season, i.e. in the spring.
How to clean a fireplace?
Cleaning the fireplace this is an activity that should not be postponed, but we will not be able to do everything ourselves. When undertaking such a task, at the very beginning you should remember to wait until the fireplace insert and all its external elements have cooled down completely. It is necessary to deal with cleaning safely and avoid burns. In addition, cooling prevents damage to some of the fireplace itself.
When starting cleaning works, carefully clean the fireplace insert from ash and soot. Then we go through the cleaning of the glazing, replacement of worn seals in the fireplace and inspection of moving parts.
What to clean the fireplace? A poker and a brush are most often used to clean the internal elements of the insert. This process removes soot that can significantly impede the heating process. Alternatively, you can purchase a specialized ash vacuum cleaner. ATTENTION: it is strictly forbidden to use ordinary household vacuum cleaners!
After removing the ash and cleaning the elements of the insert, such as cast iron plates, grate and fireclay, we must check the condition of the seals of the entire body.
Therefore, we use the seals around the glass and the door for the wallpaper. If these elements are damaged, we can replace them ourselves, getting the necessary ones from the fireplace manufacturer. These are the so-called service kits. Correctly installed gaskets facilitate the combustion process and protect against undesirable odors.
The next stage of cleaning the fireplace by yourself will be glazing the fireplace door.
Many people use household preparations or specially designed sprays to clean it, but this is not a solution recommended by manufacturers of fireplace inserts. Harsh household chemicals are corrosive to steel or cast iron elements of the fireplace body. The best method is to polish the fireplace glass with a damp cloth or paper towel and the ash from the last burning. Such an ecological abrasive paste will allow even stubborn deposits to reach quickly.
At the last stage, you should take care of the movable elements of the fireplace body.
The elements at the door are covered with heat-resistant grease. When we finish the independent work, it's time for chimney sweep.
Sweep
When we are sure that we did everything we had to do, we should try to get a professional one chimney sweep. It can be carried out by a chimney sweep with the appropriate qualifications or a chimney sweep. How often we need to inspect depends on the type of chimney you have.
For chimneys:
- coal - four times a year;
- flue gases used for wood-burning fireplaces - four times a year;
- ventilation - it is enough to check it once a year.
During the visit, the chimney sweep checks the openness of the chimney and if everything is fine, he makes a report. Most often, however, a specialist has to clean the chimney pipes, i.e. simply remove the soot. Please inquire about any additional work and the general condition of the chimney section in order to prepare for any additional measures.
When an overview is not enough
Sometimes a visit to the chimney sweep has to be followed renovation of the fireplace. In this situation, complete cartridges or individual components may be replaceable. Then you have to replace the door, gaskets, cast iron elements, the housing, but also the old insulation or exhaust pipes. It should not be treated as an unnecessary investment, because a well-functioning fireplace is not only about comfort, but most of all it is effective heating and safety. Renovation is also aesthetic issues that we can change at our discretion.
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