Maintaning A Fireplace In Your Home
As the colder weather takes hold in Bergen County, images and thoughts of home-cooked baked goods and hot chocolate (or wine!) by the fire seem to be everywhere, from Holiday advertisements to the local home improvement stores to Pinterest. Have you readied your home for the approaching season? A little preparation now will ensure that you are ready and able to enjoy warm & memorable nights by the fire. A few thoughts on maintaining a fireplace...
A call to the chimney sweep can have your fireplace in good order in no time, Proper maintenance (bi-annually or every 75 fires) is necessary for chimneys to avoid build up of creosote, plus you'll feel like a regular Mary Poppins by having a chimney sweep in your home. (Just don't try jumping from the roof holding an umbrella! That only worked in the movies.)
If you are new to your home and have not used the fireplace before, have someone with experience maintaining a fireplace show you the ropes (maybe even your chimney sweep). You'll need to understand how to open and close the flue as well as any safety screening or hardware that may surround your hearth. A spark arrester should be installed on your chimney, as well, so check to make sure it's in place.
Once you have a fire burning, remember to use caution and a watchful eye, especially if you have children in your home. Use appropriate tools to turn your fire and keep the screen closed to avoid sparks harming people, furniture or floors. If you find the room getting smoky, try opening a window slightly to allow it to dissipate.
Grab a good book or a board game and relax and enjoy the warmth of your fireplace. A few easy steps in maintaining a fireplace and you'll enjoy it for years to come.
I'm Brian Morgenweck, Broker/Owner of Power Realty Group. If you have questions regarding Bergen County real estate or I can help in any way, just call me at (201) 489-3020 or email me.
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