Best Practices for a Wood-Burning Fireplace

1/4/2022 (Permalink)

When cold weather comes more people use their fireplaces. Many people have gas fireplaces as well as wood. Safety precautions need to be taken with both practices, however, we have some advice as to the best practices with a wood fireplace. 

Keep it Clean

It is important to maintain a clean fireplace before burning anything in it. This is because if there is debris within the fireplace, it can be dangerous and burn down your home. To clean it up, you can do multiple things like vacuuming up the ash and removing all of the buildups. If this task is not something you’re comfortable with, you can always hire a chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney/fireplace. It is recommended to have them come at least once a year to better guarantee your safety. When cleaning your fireplace on your own, make sure to wear protective gear like gloves, goggles, and masks to protect your body from any debris or harm. Maintaining a clean fireplace is a key step to take before burning any wood.

Type of Wood

The type and quality of wood will affect the way it burns. It is recommended to burn hardwoods like oak, birch, etc., as opposed to softwoods like cedar, pine, etc. This is because hardwood will burn for a longer period of time as opposed to softwoods. Softwood may also have more sap within the wood which can cause more sparks as well as smoke. If there is a lot of smoke regularly with your fireplace, however, take that as a warning sign that there may be problems with it. 

Take action and be cautious with your fireplace and don’t hesitate to call a professional. Here at SERVPRO, we are here to help you with maintaining your home safety. Contact us today at 1-800-SERVPRO for more information.