Fireplace maintenance can be done by the homeowners themselves or by hiring a professional. Either way, it needs to be done regularly.
An important thing to consider when undertaking any fireplace maintenance is the proper cleaning of the chimney. A clean chimney helps in avoiding chimney fires and fumes from the fire coming into the home. The reason fumes enter the house is because the smoke can’t travel up the chimney correctly.
It is best to keep the chimney clean to avoid smoke entering the home, but it also helps stop the build-up of creosote. Creosote is a sticky, tough and thick substance deposited on the chimney walls as a byproduct of burning coal or wood within the fireplace. Regular fireplace maintenance ensures that the creosote does not build up, making the system unhealthy and untrustworthy.
In the event of a chimney fire, we suggest the following:
If you have a stove, close all air vents and flue dampeners to reduce the oxygen supply
If you have an open fire, splash water on it to extinguish the fire
Move flammable furnishings away from the fireplace/stove
Call 999