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Home Owner Maintenance Tip
We enjoy trying to make sure that your home stays your most valuable asset. One of the best ways we know to help, is to pass along some simple maintenance tips that most people don’t know could save thousands of dollars. Fireplaces can safely add cozy warmth to a home if the proper precautions are taken. Before lighting your fireplace, always make sure the damper is open and that there is no cover on top of your chimney. Covers are sometimes left behind by a previous owner. If you have a gas starter, use a low flame setting to help prevent damage to the firebox. Fireplaces are not intended to burn for more than 5 hours or to be used as furnaces. Keep the screen curtains closed to contain sparks. Open the glass to allow air to cool the chimney. If necessary open a window. Do not leave a fire unattended especially around children. To keep your carpet from being damaged, place a nonflammable rug in front of the fireplace. To start a fire: open glass doors, then open the screen curtains. Place kindling such as newspaper or logs inside. Open the damper. Check to see if the smoke is going up and out. Make sure to use specialized fireplace tools to handle logs. CLEANING TIPS To clean glass doors, wait until cool, then remove any deposits with a razor blade. A good alternative to store bought cleaner is a mixture of one squirt dishwashing liquid, one cup vinegar and one gallon of water. Spray solution and than wipe. Coals may stay hot for several days. Don't remove ashes for at least 3 days after a fire. Scoop out ashes with a shovel. Store ashes in a metal container, never near combustibles or wood floors. Make sure to completely clean your fireplace during the months it is not in use. Have your chimney checked once a year. Enjoy your fireplace! Please feel free to forward this maintenance tip to your friends and/or family members so they too can maintain their real estate investment.
Lem McSpadden and Brian McSpadden "Your Property Consultants for Life"
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