Maintaining Your Wood Fireplace: Tips for Manitoba Residents

When people start seeing snow and experiencing freezing temperatures in Manitoba, the crackle of a fire in a wooden fireplace becomes utterly loved in most households. But to get the best performance from the wood fireplace one has to take time and make sure that it is clean and safe to be used at any given time. This article provides crucial guidelines that every Manitoba user should ensure they follow to care for their wood fireplaces, as well as providing reflection on these practices when measured against caring for a pellet stove in Manitoba.

 

Regular Cleaning

Another major component of maintaining a wood fireplace is the cleaning that should be performed from time to time. Ashes should be cleaned as they accumulate, because if allowed to pile up then it will hinder the circulation of air within the stove and the efficiency levels of the fireplace will drop. When storing ashes put them in a metallic container with a closeable lid and make sure that the ashes have cooled down to eliminate the quick spread of fire. Moreover, it is crucial to clean the chimneys internal walls and hearth periodically, if you do not want to cover it with black soot or creosote. Besides, it invigorates the physical look of the fireplace and also minimizes the probabilities of chimney fires.

 

Chimney Inspection and Cleaning

Wood fireplaces have chimneys, which should be inspected and swept for debris at least once every year. Another danger that may result from the use of wood is creosote, which is formed from condensed smoke and gathers in the chimney. This can be done effectively only by professional chimney sweeps who also look for the deposits of hazardous creosote, obstruction, and signs of structural impairment in chimneys, respectively. On the other hand, cleaning the chimneys of pellet stoves is generally not a frequent process in Manitoba because the combustion of the fuel is more efficient than that of cord wood and creates less creosote.

 

Tile flooring can crack or chip, so examine the tiles for these issues.

Check your wood fireplace often, so as to notice any check or form of ravage in the wood. Ensure that firebox, flue, and chimney should be checked from time to time for any sign of damage. Even if the gaps are in the masonry work or in the metal framings, they may allow poisonous gases to seep into your abode. It is wise to repair any existing cracks or openings immediately in order to retain the safety and functionality of the fire place. This can also be accomplished by having the usage of fireplace insert which can also shield the structure and increase the capacity of your firewood appliance.

 

Use Seasoned Wood

Therefore, let’s consider the following guideline to help us distinguish between the two types of wood suitable to burn in our fireplace. Always best to use seasoned hardwood material like oak or maple when building fires because they burn cleaner and hotter than softwoods. Well-seasoned wood has been indoors for a least 6 months as this makes it to get rid of most of the moisture and therefore leads to little to no formation of creosote. Do not use green wood or wood that has not been dried for a long time as it makes the chimneys very smoky and creates thickets of creosote that may cause chimneys fires and further more Frequent sweeping is needed.

 

Install a Chimney Cap

Wood fireplace may still be used today due to the chimney cap which is a cheap yet essential tool for every home. It keeps out rain, snow and any debris from getting through that might cause a blockage or imperatively contribute to moisture damage. Besides, they prevent birds and other creatures from getting inside the chimney and nesting there, which might lead to blockages or even dangerous circumstances. Deciding between Dryvit and a more traditional STT finish, this small change can prevent a lot of future maintenance problems and guarantee the fireplace will last as long as possible.

 

Monitor the Fireplace Damper

The damper is usually situated at the top of the fireplace; you need to open it before kindling a fire and close only when there is no flame left. The open damper allows for proper air circulation, which is necessary to maintain efficient combustion because if there is a poor supply of air, it will cause inadequate combustion of firewood or fuel and this may lead to the production of smoke, carbon monoxide among other negative effects.

The closed damper traps the warm air that would otherwise be released into the room through the chimney when the fireplace is not in use. Daily and periodically the damper must be checked whether it functions properly and clean it most of the times.

 

Many people often joke about dying in their sleep but this should not be taken lightly, therefore, ensure that you have Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors installed in your home.

Being a fire, the safety measures should always be put in consideration whenever one is using a wood fireplace for heating. Ensure that all your house and your fireplace have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed. These detectors give an early alarm in the instance that there is smoke or carbon monoxide blockage to ensure that such incidents are not fatal. As a step, check the detectors often and use fresh batteries whenever it is necessary to make sure that the detectors will work fine all the time.

 

Simulate with Pellet Stoves in Manitoba

Although wood fireplaces in Manitoba bring the rustic feel and comfort to every home, the need of efficient cleaning is more frequent than that of using pellet stoves in Manitoba. They are better in this respect compared to conventional stoves since they have an automated fuel feed system and superior structural combustion, they produce less creosote and therefore do not need constant cleaning. But these two types of heaters have certain precautions that need to be observed to avoid dangers and work effectively. Knowing these we can reach a conclusion of what type of heating solution is preferable as well as its maintenance requirement.

 

Conclusion

OOD fireplace is good during the cold winter in Manitoba to be safe, efficient and enjoyable; hence, you should consider regular maintenance. There are a number of practices such as cleaning, chimney inspections, usage of seasoned woods, and safety accessories installation that is recommended to be done to ensure that your fireplace is safe and clean. Despite the fact that wood fireplaces are generally harder to maintain compared to pellet stoves in Manitoba, the provided heat and the coziness which such fireplaces create is irreplaceable. With these helpful guidelines, homeowners of Manitoba will be able to keep their wooden tools for fireplaces as a cherished point of interest in their households for long.