Questions About Indoor Fireplaces Answered

Many people associate a working fireplace with a degree of elegance and high status, and indeed, this is reflected in market prices for housing. In fact, if you have a working fireplace in your home, you can expect it to 5% value on average to your overall property price. If you are looking to have a fireplace installed, you may want to ask a few questions about the process, maintenance, and whether or not having a fireplace fitted is worth it before making the final decision. In this article, five common questions that are asked online about indoor fireplaces are answered to give you a bit more insight into this piece of classic and highly functional interior design.

What Are Common Issues with a Fireplace?

Common problems that can occur with fireplaces are the flue becoming blocked or and poor-quality firewood. If the flue becomes clogged or , it can lead to not leaving the fireplace and entering the home environment, where it can cause coughing and health problems in the lungs. Poor quality firewood might also release fumes and may not as effectively, the latter meaning that your fireplace will not give off a lot of heat. If you are looking for tips on reducing potential issues with any working fitted fireplace, consulting specialists like Stonewoods for advice is never a bad idea.

What Are the Dangers of Having an Indoor Fireplace?

The dangers of having an indoor fireplace are exacerbated if it is not properly maintained – and that includes fire management. The first obvious issue is that if you do not have a guard, embers and sparks can leave the fire and land on the carpet or surrounding area, leading to a house fire. A second issue is that if the flue is not correctly maintained or cleaned, carbon monoxide can build up in your home and pose a serious health risk, so you will need to have carbon monoxide detectors around your fireplace in order to detect this harmful gas. You will also need to ensure that any wood you use is suitable for and is not wet.

Can You Install a Fireplace By Yourself?

Unless you have extensive experience in fitting fireplaces, it is best to call in a professional to fit it and build the chimney if there is not already one present. If you have a fireplace that has been blocked off, it can be tempting to simply knock it through and remove the block in the chimney. However, this can be hazardous and potentially cause problems that you cannot see, so always hire a professional.

What Kind of Fireplace Is Best for Reducing Energy Bills?

A traditional wood- fireplace is better at reducing energy bills, as it releases more heat than an electric fireplace. Just be sure that the wood you use in your fireplace is suitable and that the hearth and the flue are regularly cleaned.

How Often Should You Clean a Fireplace?

If you use your fireplace once a week, you should aim to clean it after each use. If your fireplace is more of an ornamental piece and you will only light it once a year, make sure it is cleaned before you use it to ensure that no debris could catch alight and threaten you and your family’s safety.