Wood Stove, Gas Fireplace and Pellet Stove Maintenance

Fireplace and Stove maintenance is very important not only for safety but also to keep your hearth appliance in its best working order to provide heat for your home. Fireplace safety begins with proper fireplace and stove appliance installation. If there is a problem with the fireplace flue then smoke may not be able to make its way up the chimney and the smoke may enter your home creating dust, fire and, possibly, noxious fumes. It is important to look at the manufacturer's guidelines for the best service package and safety recommendations.

Employing a chimney sweep, creosote destroying logs, annual fireplace and wood stove maintenance and carbon monoxide detectors in your home are always beneficial for safe, long term efficient operation. For wood stoves it is important that the ashes are cleaned out frequently (and disposed in a non combustible container like a metal garbage can) and for a gas fireplace it is imperative to keep it from flammable dust and to have the gas fireplace installed and maintained properly.

It is always worth having a fireplace or chimney professional look at the installation of your gas fireplace, wood burning fireplace, wood stove, gas stove, pellet stove, gas fireplace insert or wood burning fireplace insert before lighting it for the first time.. There may be problems with the chimney, a blockage somewhere or, if you have a gas fireplace, there may be a leakage area. Fireplace and wood stoves safety is not to be taken lightly and fireplace maintenance is key.

HELPFUL LINKS

Fireplace, Wood Stoves Home Fire Safety
Cleaner Burning Wood Stoves and Fireplaces
Chimney and Fireplace Sweeping
Wood Stove, Fireplace and Pellet Stove Heating and Maintenance
What is a Chimney Sweep? (Fireplace and Chimney Safety, See July 22, 2009 post)