Taking Care Of A Fireplace

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Hire a chimney professional if you haven’t used your fireplace for more than a year or if you don’t know the condition of a fireplace in a newly purchased home. Some chimney professionals still call themselves chimney sweeps. They will make a thorough inspection before you test the fireplace yourself. Some fireplaces are simply decorative. If a fireplace flue has been sealed then you’ll want to know if it can be opened and how much that would cost. Have the chimney inspected and the flue cleaned at least once a year. If you use the fireplace every day in winter then it will need more frequent attention. If an inspection reveals problems in the flue lining or the chimney masonry, have these repairs attended to before you use the fireplace again.

If a recently working damper suddenly won’t budge, you may be able to unstick it yourself. Wear goggles for eye protection because dampers are dirty and unlodging one will cause soot to fall. Look up from inside the firebox and tap on the damper’s handle with a short piece of wood such as the handle of a hammer. If the damper won’t move, spray the hinges with penetrating oil. Wait a few minutes and then try again. For added leverage slide a piece of pipe over the damper’s handle then try to push or pull it free.

In cleaning glass doors on a fireplace, this can be more difficult to clean more than other glass. You can buy a product especially made for this tough job at a hardware store or a fireplace dealer. Make sure the fire is out before you start. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. Scrub stubborn spots with a nonabrasive pad.