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Tune Up Your FireplaceBy Jim Sulski Summary: Maintaining your fireplace requires more that cleaning the ashes out. Jim explains basic fireplace maintenance that, if done on a regular basis, can keep your family safe and warm all winter long. There is nothing more warming than a roaring fireplace. But as with many other
facets of a house, a fireplace needs regular care other than an occasional cleaning
of ashes. In fact, an ill-maintained fireplace can not only cause problems such smoke and odors, but can be dangerous. The creosote that builds up in a fireplace is a combustible product. It can ignite into a very hot, roaring fire. How much maintenance your fireplace requires depends on how often you use it. In addition, burning wood versus a natural gas log set puts more of a burden on a fireplace, requiring care more frequently. Staying on top of maintenance, however, will make repair jobs go smoother and allow you to better enjoy your fireplace through the cold winter months. What follows are a few steps that the typical do-it-yourselfer can take to tune their fireplace: First, spend a few minutes inspecting your fireplace, preferably on a bright sunny day. Start by opening up the damper and using a flashlight to look up the chimney. Wear gloves and goggles to protect yourself from any falling debris. You can also have someone on the roof lower a light on an extension cord through the chimney. Look for any obstructions in the chimney, such as an animal nest or branches and leaves. If you notice movement in the nest, or you hear scurrying in the chimney, contact your local animal control officer or humane society about removing the animal. Next, check to make sure the damper is operating properly. The damper is a hinged metal plate that is found inside the fireplace where it meets the chimney. It opens and closes to allow outside air into the fireplace, and also to allow smoke to travel up the chimney. When the damper is completely closed you should not be able to see outside light in the chimney. A big complaint about fireplaces is that they emit cold air into a room when they're not being used, which means the damper isn't sealing properly. A damper that doesn't close all the way produces the same effect on a cold day as an open window. You might be able to repair the damper with heat-resistant weatherstripping sold at most fireplace stores. The gasket material is applied around the edges of the damper. A good cleaning of the damper with a creosote-removing product may also help it seal the right way. A damaged damper can also be replaced. Remove the existing damper to properly size the replacement piece. If removal is almost impossible, an option is to replace the damaged damper with one that is installed at the top of the chimney and controlled with a chain that runs down the flue. Next, if you have a natural gas log lighter in the fireplace, check the end pipe for deterioration. Replacement pipes, which screw on, are available at fireplace shops. Also, check the brickwork inside the firebox to make sure it's secure. If there is crumbling of mortar between the bricks, it needs to be fixed. If the damage is minor, there is fireplace mortar that comes in a caulking tube that you can apply yourself. If there is a good deal of crumbling, however, you'll need to call a professional tuckpointer to repair the damage. On that note, use a ladder that can reach the top of the chimney, or a pair of binoculars, to inspect the chimney for exterior masonry problems. Check for cracks or openings where the top cap or flue extends from the top of the chimney. Also, check the flashing where the chimney comes in contact with the roof. Again, you may need the services of a professional tuckpointer to make any repairs here. Finally, have your fireplace cleaned of soot and creosote, a thick black residue that is the byproduct of the incomplete combustion of wood. Chimneys are cleaned by running steel brushes up and down the flues. These brushes are attached to rods and lowered into the flue. They can also be weighted and lowered into the chimney by a rope. The brushes are available at most fireplace shops. If you plan on doing the cleaning, you'll need ladders that can easily reach
the top of your fireplace. You can also hire a chimney sweep to do the dirty
work. Contact your local fireplace shop for a referral. © by Jim Sulski. All rights reserved. January 27, 2005. NOTE: This column is distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate, PO Box 366, Glencoe, Illinois, 60022. This column may not be resold, reprinted, resyndicated or redistributed without written permission from the publisher. © 2005 by Ilyce R. Glink. Distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate. |
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