How to take care of the fireplace after the heating season?

Tips you don't want to miss.

A fireplace is usually an inseparable element of every, not only modern, home. It is an important point for household members, it creates a unique and cozy atmosphere. However, if it is to serve for many years and pose no danger after the heating season, you should ensure its proper cleaning.

The condition of the fireplace.

The way we use our fireplace affects its condition and effectiveness at a later time. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the type of wood you use for fuel - it is recommended to use dry and hardwood. In addition, the condition of the fireplace is also determined by the frequency of its use. If we take care of it regularly in autumn and winter, it will be easier to carry out general cleaning of the fireplace after the heating season, i.e. in the spring.

How to clean a fireplace?

Cleaning the fireplace is an activity that should not be postponed, but we will not be able to do everything ourselves. When undertaking such a task, at the very beginning you should remember to wait until the fireplace insert and all its external elements have cooled down completely. It is necessary to deal with cleaning safely and avoid burns. In addition, cooling prevents damage to some of the fireplace itself.

When starting cleaning works, carefully clean the fireplace insert from ash and soot. Then we go through the cleaning of the glazing, replacement of worn gaskets in the fireplace, and inspection of moving parts.

What to clean the fireplace with?

Poker and a brush are most often used to clean the internal elements of the insert. This process removes soot which can significantly impede the heating process. Alternatively, you can purchase a specialized ash vacuum cleaner.

ATTENTION: it is strictly forbidden to use ordinary household vacuum cleaners!

After removing the ash and cleaning the elements of the insert, such as cast-iron plates, grate, and fireclay, we must check the condition of the seals of the entire body.

Therefore, we use the seals around the glass and the door for the wallpaper. If these elements are damaged, we can replace them ourselves, getting the necessary ones from the fireplace manufacturer. These are the so-called service kits. Correctly installed gaskets facilitate the combustion process and protect against undesirable odors.

The next stage of cleaning the fireplace by yourself will be glazing the fireplace door.

Many people use household preparations or specially designed sprays to clean it, but this is not a solution recommended by manufacturers of fireplace inserts. Harsh household chemicals are corrosive to steel or cast-iron elements of the fireplace body. The best method is to polish the fireplace glass with a damp cloth or paper towel and the ash from the last burning. Such an ecological abrasive paste will allow even stubborn deposits to reach quickly.

At the last stage, you should take care of the movable elements of the fireplace body.

The elements at the door are covered with heat-resistant grease. When we finish the independent work, it's time for a chimney sweep.

Chimney Sweep.

When we are sure that we have done everything we needed, we should arrange a professional inspection of the fireplace by a chimney sweep. It can be carried out by a chimney sweep with appropriate permissions.

How often you need to check your fireplace depends on the type of chimney you have:

• coal - four times a year.

• combustion gases used for wood-burning fireplaces - twice a year.

• ventilation - it is enough to check it once a year.

During the visit, the chimney sweep checks the openness of the chimney and if everything is fine, he makes a report. Most often, however, a specialist has to clean the chimney pipes, i.e., simply remove the soot. Please inquire about any additional work and the general condition of the chimney section in order to prepare for any additional measures.

When an overview is not enough?

Sometimes, after the visit of the chimney sweep, the fireplace must be renovated. In this situation, complete cartridges or individual components may be replaceable. Then you have to replace the door, gaskets, cast iron elements, the casing, but also the old insulation or exhaust pipes. It should not be treated as an unnecessary investment, because a well-functioning fireplace is not only about comfort, but most of all it is effective heating and safety. Renovation is also an aesthetic issue that we can change at our discretion.

If in doubt, talk to our advisers:

+48 800 880 030

export@hitze.pl