Owning a fireplace (peis) sure brings a different ambiance to one’s home. With a modern lifestyle that we currently have, adding a touch of tradition works wonders.
However, owning one or even starting to install one, isn’t as easy as it seems. Unlike modern heating systems that we currently use, there’s no remote control or a switch to control the flames and or the heat it produces.
Here are some tips given by experts with regards to the dos and don’ts when owning a traditional wood-burning type of fireplace.
Things you should DO with fireplaces
- Regular cleaning and inspection
- Before using them, make sure that you have fireplaces and chimneys inspected by professional chimney sweeps at least once a year.
- Make sure the chimney sweep also makes a check on the concrete cap at the top of the chimney and the liner.
- Check for cracks in the firebox bricks as these can increase chances of a house fire.
- Properly build fires.
- Properties of a properly built fire:
- Does not generate much smoke
- Generates plenty of heat
- Leaves only ash behind
- How to build a proper fire
- Open the flue.
- Preheat the flue before starting the fire.
- Create a 1-2 inch ash bed under the fire for heat reflection and making the fire more efficient.
- Build fire upside down.
- Logs placed at the bottom
- Stack the tinder and kindling on top of the logs
- Add paper
- Do after care.
- Safely extinguish fires using these two methods.
- Spreading the embers and extinguish them by sprinkling water or sprinkling them with baking soda.
- Scoop out the embers using a fireproof, sealable metal container to be disposed in a safe location.
The DON’TS with fireplaces
- Avoid placing combustibles over or near fireplaces.
- Do not place any flammable material in places near or over the fireplace.
- Reduce the possibility of igniting anything with the cinder popping.
- Don’t leave fireplaces unattended.
Accidents can happen when we least expect it – especially if there’s no one watching over.