Don’t Make These 8 Fireplace Mistakes in Your Home
When temperatures drop and snow is on the horizon, nothing beats curling up in front of a crackling fire with a mug of cocoa and some toasted marshmallows. But in many homes, even when it’s not cold outside, a fireplace can be a stunning, eye-catching feature of a room.
If your fire gets plenty of use throughout the winter months, it’s important to maintain it regularly and ensure that it’s always clean and safe. If your fireplace is more of a feature than a functional appliance, you can browse fireplace mantels in Calgary to ensure that it remains a beautiful focal point and an asset to the space.
Here are 8 mistakes you don’t want to make with your fireplace:
1. Neglecting to maintain it properly
Arranging for your fireplace to be professionally cleaned and inspected before it is lit each year is essential. Some minor repairs may need to be made to ensure that it functions effectively and safely, and the chimney may need to be cleaned thoroughly, too.
2. Not choosing the right mantel
Mantel selection is vital if your fireplace is to look as good as it functions, and you must pay close attention to the shape and size of it in relation to the fire itself and the rest of the room.
Mantels that are too big can make the fireplace look overly small, while a mantel that isn’t quite big enough will not give your fire the focus it deserves. You may want to consider having a precast concrete mantel installed; with its increasing popularity in modern homes, these are extremely stylish and can set the tone not just for your fireplace but for the entire room.
3. Failing to upgrade its look
A fireplace can begin to look dated if it’s not periodically refreshed. Additionally, if your home’s overall style changes, your fireplace might start to clash. Consider updates to the surround, mantel, or even just a fresh coat of paint to prevent it from becoming an eyesore.
4. Allowing clutter to build up
A certain amount of clutter may be acceptable around a fire, such as curiosities, plants, and furniture, but too much clutter can be dangerous. Always try to keep the hearth free of anything that has the potential to catch fire.
5. Allowing ash to build up
Your firebox should remain as clean as possible and you can use an ash vacuum regularly to help you achieve this. You can also sprinkle some coffee grounds on top of the ashes to prevent them from flying around if sweeping. It’s worth remembering that when ash does accumulate, it can have a negative impact on the quality of the air inside your home.
6. Not taking the risk of carbon monoxide seriously enough.
If you have a fireplace that you use, set up a carbon monoxide detector in the same room so that if there are any issues with gas or venting, you can be alerted to them. Remember to test the batteries every month and replace them as directed by the manufacturer.
7. Using the wrong wood to burn
When unseasoned wood is burned in a fireplace it can cause a lot of smoke and even lead to a buildup of creosote over time, which can cause a fire in the chimney. Wood that has been seasoned properly will burn longer and hotter and be cleaner, too.
8. Failing to anticipate an emergency situation
Fire can behave in unimaginably horrifying ways, and vigilance is always required when using it. Have an appropriate fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency and never to leave an active fire burning while unattended.
When maintained appropriately and kept clean, fires and fireplace surrounds can be a wonderfully appealing addition to any room. If you would like to make more of a feature out of your fire, whether you use it during the winter months or not, why not reach out to a mantel-making company in your area and explore the precast concrete options in more detail.
