Before you light a log, flip a switch, or turn a dial, it’s important to ensure your fireplace is in prime condition and ready to serve as the centrepiece of your home during the cold months ahead. With these maintenance tips, you’re sure to have wonderful times sipping hot cocoa while enjoying your home’s glowing hearth.
Your property inspiration
This magnificent five-bedroom house in the coveted Bonnie Doon neighbourhood boasts a prime waterfront position. The residence offers a contemporary ambience with a touch of elegance seen throughout the whole household.
At the heart of the living space, a striking feature steals the spotlight — the modern black-painted fireplace. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this fireplace stands as a focal point, exuding absolute style. Its dark silhouette adds a contemporary edge in keeping with the rest of the room, while a modern hanging portrait completes the look for added visual appeal. Care has clearly been taken to ensure the fireplace looks its best for both the family and any fortunate guests that visit the property.
Get your fireplace in shape for winter
Owning a fireplace comes with plenty of perks but also responsibilities. These tips will ensure you keep it in good working order so you have no issues come winter.
Get a professional inspection: Your chimney flue funnels away soot, hot ashes, smoke and gases from your home. Over time, it can get blocked up by creosote or soot buildup which are health and safety hazards. An annual inspection will clean to ensure you have no cracks, holes, or faults, and to remove blockages. In the case of gas fireplaces, they will need to be serviced annually by a certified gas installer.
Clear out ash and debris: For electric and gas fireplaces, you can use a duster to sweep up any dust collected. For wooden fireplaces, regularly remove any remaining ashes from previous fires and clean out the fireplace, ensuring there are no obstructions or buildup. This promotes better airflow and helps prevent smoke from entering your home.
Dispose of ashes safely: After each fire, let the ashes cool completely before disposing of them in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Store the container outside, away from flammable materials, until you can safely dispose of the ashes.
Check the fireplace damper: Fireplace dampers play an important role in regulating airflow. Every now and then, you should make sure it is working properly; it should be able to open and close smoothly without debris causing a blockage.
Test all your detectors: Even with the best care, accidents can happen. If it does, fire safety equipment like your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors play a crucial role in alerting you to any breaking fires or rising carbon monoxide. The latter is particularly dangerous as it is invisible, colourless, and odourless. Check that batteries for these devices are charged and that the units are in good working order.
Buy the right firewood: While the little ones love to burn anything, you should opt for properly seasoned hardwood that has been dried for at least six months. This burns cleaner, produces less smoke, and generates more heat. You’ll also want to be strategic with the type of wood; hardwoods like maple, oak, and ash will reduce chimney soot.
Rearrange your furnishings: Part of your winter readiness should include moving flammable items away from your fireplace. Look for rugs, curtains, furniture, toys, and other nearby items that could potentially catch alight.
Replace screens and doors: If embers and ashes are finding their way out of your fireplace, it could be a sign you need to swap out your old fireplace screen or door for a new look.
Buy new fireplace accessories: Fireplace maintenance tools can get misplaced or broken during the course of the year. Before winter hits and prices skyrocket, consider getting your poker, brush, and shovel to keep your fireplace in order. A sturdy log holder or basket can also help keep firewood organised and easily accessible.
Your home should inspire you
A well-maintained fireplace not only brings warmth and ambience but also adds a touch of comfort and cosiness to your home during the winter months. So, take the time to follow these maintenance tips and get ready to embrace the magic of fireside moments all season long.
If you’re in search of a home with the perfect fireplace, count on the team at Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, the best real estate company in South Africa, to find it. Browse our portfolio of outstanding properties for sale and get in touch with our team now.
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