In this blog post, I will share with you the 6 common mistakes you should avoid when using a gas fireplace in Vancouver, BC.
Everyone with a fireplace visualizes cozying up in front of its warm glow during the winter. This is also a great time to examine fireplace safety.
Make sure to be careful when you split logs with your log splitter! Make sure to avoid these nine mistakes people typically make when using their fireplaces so that you can make the most of your time by the fire all through the season.
1- Keeping the Damper closed:
Chimney dampers prevent heat from escaping and block cold drafts when your fireplace is turned off.
The problem is that if you do not open the damper before lighting wood in the fireplace, smoke cannot escape and will build up.
You shouldn’t let your living room fill up with smoke. Don’t forget to open the damper before lighting a fire. With most fireplaces, the firebox is opened or closed by rotating a knob located above the firebox.
2- Putting too much stuff near the fireplace:
Cloth can catch fire, but one cannot deny how great rugs look lying right in front of the fireplace, and who can deny the comfort of a convenient recliner or a comfortable couch near the hearth?
It’s important to remember that safety comes first, so firefighter, chimney sweep, and other professionals advise keeping flammable cloth items at least three feet from your fireplace.
Please be sure to remove the stockings, and temporarily put them in a safe place when igniting a fire, if they are hung from the mantel for Santa to fill with holiday gifts.
3- Picking the wrong type of firewood:
Firewood is not all the same. Some woods produce fragrant, long-lasting fires, while others can be quite dangerous.
No matter which species you choose (oak, maple, or any other), you should not use it if it’s green or unseasoned. Always make sure that your firewood has had at least six months outside to dry out. This process is called curing or seasoning your wood. Seasoned logs will look dry and cracked at their ends.
Unseasoned wood, also known as greenwood, releases excess moisture when it burns, which can lead to heavy creosote buildup.
If possible, buy your firewood early in the year. This not only will give you a wider selection but also will give the wood even more time to dry out and cure.
Furthermore, a log splitter is useful even if you purchase firewood elsewhere. Split logs into smaller pieces to cure more quickly.
It is also important to be cautious when using wood from trees like pine and cedar. Because it is rich in resin, it will pop, crackle, and shoot sparks as the temperature rises. It is ideal for kindling, but not for primary firewood.
4- Using Lighter Fluid or Other Flammable Liquids:
Getting a fire started with lighter fluid, gasoline, or any other flammable liquid isn’t the best way if you’re using a fireplace. It can cause the fire to grow too big in what is a small enclosure.
If you use dry tinder material, instead of paper, you may end up with the same problem: your fire will be too big for you to control!
5- Not utilizing a fireplace safety screen:
The warm glow of a fireplace is impossible to beat when you have the protection of a spark shield to stop sparks from igniting your carpet.
The glass shield offers the greatest protection, but it isn’t clear to small children if there is a transparent barrier in place. Extreme caution must be used around children when glass shields are present.
Glass shields provide slightly more protection, even more so than wire screen or chain link metal curtains.
6- Improper disposal of ash:
Not only should you clean the creosote out of your fireplace, but you should also clean all the burning wood ash from beneath the firebox.
Keep in mind that you should not remove all the wood ash after every fire. A layer of wood ash, not more than 1” thick can provide insulation and help build fires. Don’t let that ash layer get too high, however; it can inhibit fires.
Before sweeping away ash, wait until it is completely cool and there are no glowing embers. Put it in a metal container with a lid for extra safety.
If you wish to dispose of wood ash, please refer to your local regulations. You may need to store it for a week in those metal containers before throwing it into the regular trash.
These were the most common mistakes people make when using a gas fireplace in Vancouver. Which of these mistakes have you made before?