Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Decor

Don’t Play With Fire This Winter

Darpan News Desk, 25 Nov, 2016 12:34 PM
  • Don’t Play With Fire This Winter
Whether you have a wood burning or gas fireplace it is important to properly prepare them for the fall and winter seasons to ensure both their functionality and your safety.
 
Napoleon Fireplaces have provided some helpful tips to consider when preparing your fireplace for the season. Most of the simple inspections and cleaning can be done by the average homeowner, however, if you have any doubt at all, contact your local fireplace installer or chimney sweep. 
 
Wood Burning:
 
• Have the chimney cleaned before starting your wood burning fireplace, stove or insert. The leading cause of fires from wood burning appliances is the result of creosote (unburned fuel) that has accumulated in the chimney. 
 
• Have any gasket material inspected and replaced as required, such as the gasket sealing the door, the door glass and in some cases the ash dump. If an airtight appliance is operated without these gaskets effectively sealing the openings, excess air can leak into the firebox creating an over fire condition, which may permanently damage the appliance.
 
• Clean the blower if your wood burning appliance is equipped with one.  Unlike your furnace blower, these blowers do not have a filtering system to prevent the buildup of dust and hair on the blower. 
 
• Replace any broken or deteriorated brick lining in the wood burning appliance. While cracks in the lining are not a concern, if the brick lining is deteriorated to the point that the steel body is exposed, the heat from the fire can cause permanent damage to the appliance.
  
• Replace the batteries and test any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you have in your home to ensure these defense monitors are operating properly.
 
Gas Burning:
 
• Have the appliance serviced by a qualified technician. A properly maintained fireplace can look as new as the day it was installed and a proper cleaning can help prevent permanent damages from occurring. Even the glass must be cleaned annually to keep it looking clear. Although gas fireplaces appear to be maintenance free, like a car engine, these combustion systems are affected by problems such as dust and insects which will impair performance. The airways of both the pilot and main burners should be regularly cleaned to ensure that they are operating correctly and a general inspection of the entire system including the safety controls is also beneficial. 
 
• Clean the blower if your gas burning appliance is equipped with one. Unlike your furnace blower, these blowers do not have a filtering system to prevent the buildup of dust and hair on the blower. As the dust accumulates on the blower blades, the balance of the blower will change causing premature wearing of the bearings. The dust also insulates the motor; preventing it from being cooled and can eventually cause the motor to cease up.
 
• Replace the batteries in any optional remote transmitters and in some cases, in the receiver as well. Even when not being used the power held in a battery is slowly depleted.
 
• Replace the batteries and test any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors you have in your home to ensure these defense monitors are operating properly.

MORE Decor ARTICLES

An Eco-Friendly Environment

An Eco-Friendly Environment
It’s easy being green when designing a stylish space.

An Eco-Friendly Environment

Picking the Perfect Paint Palette

Picking the Perfect Paint Palette
Choosing a colour that works well for your walls

Picking the Perfect Paint Palette

2016 Decor Trends: What’s Trending in Your Home?

2016 Decor Trends: What’s Trending in Your Home?

A look at the dark, dramatic, cozy and colourful styles you’ll see in 2016 Trends are c...

2016 Decor Trends: What’s Trending in Your Home?

Show Your Home!

Show Your Home!

You’re ready to sell your home but is your home ready to sell? Whether the market is...

Show Your Home!

Tidy Up Your Home Cleaning Routine

Tidy Up Your Home Cleaning Routine
Cleaning at the same time every day can easily become a habit and subsequently seem like less of a chore. Similarly, scheduling when you clean will make it more likely to happen. 

Tidy Up Your Home Cleaning Routine

Relocating To New Home? Clean It Well

Relocating To New Home? Clean It Well
If you're relocating to a new home, make sure you clean the walls, toilet seats, drains and pipes well for hygeinic surroundings,  says an expert.

Relocating To New Home? Clean It Well