THE DO'S OF USING A FIREPLACE
Before using your fireplace
Before lighting the first fire of the season, have your fireplace cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep. This step should be taken at least once a year to remove any build-up of soot and creosote along the interior lining of the chimney that could cause a fire. Using manufactured logs or seasoned hardwood helps reduce soot and creosote buildup.
Inspect
Do inspect the concrete cap atop your chimney for defects. Even small cracks can funnel water, which will spall bricks and quickly cause structural damage to the entire chimney.
Use hardwoords
If burning wood, use hardwoods; they get hotter and produce less creosote than softwoods.
Safety cap for your chimney
Do consider topping your chimney with a metal safety cap it keeps animals out, and keeps rain off of the damper, which helps protect it from rust.
Think before firing up
Keep the area around the fireplace free from items such as newspapers, magazines, books, furniture or other flammable items. Before lighting a fire, remove any old ashes and open the damper.
You can never be too safe
Install a smoke and a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Replace the batteries periodically.
Esta historia es de la edición May/June 2023 de The Home Handyman.
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Esta historia es de la edición May/June 2023 de The Home Handyman.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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