Fireplace (wood) How-To Guide

Wood Fireplaces

Overview
Maintenance
Questions/Answers
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To maintain the energy efficiency, safety, and useful life of your wood burning fireplace, it is important that your home maintenance program include the proper maintenance for your wood burning fireplace.

Chimney fires can occur when creosote builds up on the inside of the chimney flue. Creosote is a black or brown residue which comes from the smoke of burning logs in the fireplace. Creosote is highly flammable and, if allowed to build up, can catch fire and burn at temperatures approaching 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. These temperatures can crack flue liners and allow heat to ignite nearby wood or other combustible materials. See also: Gas Fireplaces, Wood Stoves, and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

Shown in the "Maintenance" tab above are the recommended routine maintenance tasks for your wood burning fireplace. The "Questions / Answers" tab above shows our answers to related questions. And the "Articles" tab above provides links to related informational articles and sources.

Get tips for saving money on energy, improving safety and more with our free Newsletter or our free Automatic Maintenance Reminders. We can also show you the Recommended Maintenance Schedules for your entire home.


		Maintenance Task #1: Clean and inspect fireplace chimney

		How do you clean and inspect a fireplace chimney?
		Typically for $90 to $150 , a professional chimney sweep will thoroughly clean your fireplace and chimney and check for defects. Or you can do the work yourself if you have the proper brushes and vacuums and don't mind the mess or hassle. The tasks include: Inspect for creosote deposits in the flue. If greater than 1/8" in thickness, then the chimney flue should be cleaned. Check the firebox for damaged brick or mortar. Check the damper for operation and snug fit. Also inspect for cracks, pitting or rusted-out sections. Check the flue for broken or damaged bricks on the flue liner. Cracking is a sign that there has been a flue fire and is a potentially serious problem.

		Why is it important to clean and inspect a fireplace chimney?
		safety. Chimney fires can be very dangerous.

		How often should you clean and inspect a fireplace chimney?
		The chimney should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected every two years. June is a good month for this, since it allows for plenty of time for any repairs before the fall, and it should be an easier time to schedule a chimney sweep.

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is moderate, and requires the scheduling of a qualified chimney sweep.

		The benefits of this task are high, as it helps prevent dangerous and costly chimney fires.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):


		Maintenance Task #2: Check firewood supplies

		How do you check firewood supplies?
		Check to see that you have adequate firewood supplies for the winter. Replenish supplies as necessary. "Green" firewood should be allowed time to dry, so as to improve it's burning characteristics. Firewood should be covered with plywood or a tarp to keep rain and snow off the wood. Be sure to keep the wood pile at least about 6 inches off the ground,. The reason for this is so that termites don't get access to your wood (which can later infect your house). And also, having the pile off the ground allows you to be able to visually inspect whether termites are building earth "tubes" into your wood pile (see Pest Control).

		Why is it important to check firewood supplies?
		Help ensure adequate supplies for the winter, and that your wood pile is not being infected with pests that can be brought into your house.

		How often should you check firewood supplies?
		Perform annually in late summer (August).

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is very low, as it involves just calling around for firewood quotes.

		The benefits of calling around early is that you have a better opportunity of finding good prices.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):

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