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Chimney maintenance

Maintaining your Fireplace and chimney can be done with firstly by buying the correct fireplace parts. Many fire outbreaks have been cause to accidents which lead to residential fires.
The best way to explain this cause could be due to the lack of maintenance. Also, fireplaces have chimneys which need proper care that most people hate touching.

You should always practice good “upkeep” with your chimney along with the fireplace to guarantee proper safety. Remember, the ventilation systems need to be kept clean as well, chimney sweeps can help credulously in keeping a home at its safest level.
Your chimney system can stay clean, thus reducing the risk of chimney fires. The long of your chimney will last longer if you continue to maintain it. Many people simply do not realize how vital it is to take care of your fireplace and chimney.
Chimneys ideally should be swept at least once a year preferably by a qualified chimney sweep, I say this simply because a sweeps job is not just to push a brush up and down the chimney,  a good chimney sweep will help protect your life through proper cleaning and assist in your chimneys life through good advice to you about the general state of repair of your chimney.
It is however ultimately the homeowners responsibility to ensure that there chimneys are well maintained and clean, so, don’t forget, make sure that you always keep your fireplace and chimney very clean, for the safety of your household.

If you do decide that you want to carry out a general DIY clean of your chimney then please find below 4 simple steps that will ensure your chimney is cleaned and serviceable:

Step 1: Remove the Ashes
For simple cleaning, start by removing the ashes from the fireplace. During the cold season, make sure that the ashes don’t build up to a depth greater than about 2″. After the cold season, remove all of the ashes from the fireplace.
Use a flat fireplace shovel to clean out the ashes. Place them in tin a bucket or other suitable container and remember if you have had your fire in the night before they will still be hot!! It’s worth noting that fire place ashes are good for the garden so they can be added to your compost heap.
Remove any remaining ashes or other dry debris using a shop vacuum/hoover with a filter bag.

Step 2: Remove Soot and Fire Stains
Removing the soot and fire stains from the fireplace will take a little more effort. Start by spraying on a mixture of soapy water, Spray on liberally and let the solution stay on the surface for about 30 minutes.
Once the residue has had a chance to soften, scrub the surfaces using a stiff wire brush or coarse grained wire wool.

Step 3: Remove Stubborn Stains
For stubborn stains, use something stronger than soap and water. Muriatic acid is an abrasive chemical used specifically to clean fireplaces.
Bear in mind that Muriatic acid is a harsh chemical, and is also toxic to that end always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and follow all safety precautions printed on the bottle.
Mix one part muriatic acid with 10 parts water, and apply the solution to the brick or stone surfaces of the fireplace.
Let the solution remain on the surface for about 30 minutes before scrubbing with a wire brush.
Use a metal brush to remove any rust and debris from the damper, the damper may be hard to get to, so wear old clothing, eye protection and gloves for this job. Make sure that the damper mechanism is functioning properly, it should open and close smoothly and freely.

Step 4: Maintain the Chimney From Outside
Outer Chimney maintenance is generally a job for professionals, but there are a few things you can check for yourself.
Use a good set of binoculars to inspect the following parts on the outer chimney.
Make sure that the chimney cap is in good condition, and that it does not become clogged with leaves or other debris.
A wire screen will keep debris and animals from getting down into the chimney. (Birds, bats, and other animals may build nests inside chimneys when they are not used frequently.)

Examine the mortar between the bricks to make sure that it is in good condition, and is not cracked or flaking away. Also check the lead flashing where the chimney meets the roof. Make sure that there is a watertight seal around the flashing, if the seal is damaged or cracked, it can be patched with caulk.
Damage to the flashing will allow water to penetrate the loft space and cause damp and water damage problems in the loft.
If you are suffering from defects on the outer chimney it’s worth getting a professional with all the right safety equipment to do the repair.

I hope you found this article interesting and informative if you require further information on chimney repair, chimney maintenance or chimney inspections then feel free to click on any of the ads contained in this webpage

Thanks for reading.