Get fireplace in shape from top to bottom
Even with all of the current options, many of us still use a woodburning fireplace. It adds ambience and warmth to a home.
It’s very important you perform regular maintenance to ensure it is operating safely. Here are some things to take care of before you use it again this year.
Like a lot of other cleaning projects, you should do it from top to bottom, with one exception. Open the damper first. Then carefully cover the opening of the fireplace with a tarp and tape it securely around all of the edges.
Be careful when working on the roof. Remove the chimney cap/ spark arrester. Brushes are available at fireplace- supply stores, as well as extensions. Buy the one that fits your flue shape and size. Scrub down the sides to loosen debris. ( Now you see why it so important to cover the opening inside the house.) Look down the flue for cracks or gaps, and make repairs as needed.
Give the dust and ash time to settle, and then pull the tarp off.
You’ll want to make sure the ceiling fan and room vents aren’t stirring up the air in the room. You’ll want to shovel and vacuumup the ashes. Make sure your vacuumhas a very good filter to avoid blowing ash back into the room. Keep a mister of water handy to spray and keep dust down while you are removing the ashes.
Inspect the firebox for loose or cracked mortar, and repair it with heat- resistantmaterial.
Make sure your damper is working. If the seal is loose, repair it as well.
If you are going to use your fireplace, itmust be safe. If you cannot clean and inspect it yourself, hire a chimney sweep to do the job. It’s extremely important, so don’t put it off.
Q: We are going to seal our ductwork up in the attic. We have found several small leaks and suspect there are others. What is the best way to take care of this? — L. P.
A: Mastic is the best way to seal ductwork. It’s a little messy, but it works better than anything else on the market. You can use aluminum tape along with it for some gaps if you want. Don’t forget to check and seal plenums as well.
If you have flexible ducts, make sure all are free- flowing and are not kinked or restricted in any way.
Ducts should be insulated, so replace any loose insulation. If you take care of all the leaks, then you should see a cleaner, more efficient system, which will keep you more comfortable and keep your bills down, too. Vinegar’s super uses Vinegar is one of those everyday household products we all have in our homes. It has tons of uses there as well as in the shop and outdoors.
It’s really inexpensive, and can save you money in many cases. We have put together a list of some of our favorite, tried- and- true uses for the stuff.
If you are interested in finding out more and would like a copy of our list, send us a self- addressed, stamped envelope to The Super Handyman, in care ofthe Houston Don’t forget to reverse your ceilingfan blades in the winter. Instead of the air being blown directly down into the room, the fan should draw the air up and push it back down the sides of the walls. This will help recirculate the warm air in the room.