5 Common Missteps Homeowners Make with Wood Fires

Your fireplace is like an old friend, always there when you need it. It provides heat and comfort in good times and bad. You know you can count on a crackling fire and its warm, ambient glow when you need it, but don’t take it for granted. There is more to using your hearth than placing a few logs in and stoking a fire. Let’s look at fireplace safety myths busted: 5 common missteps homeowners make with wood fires.

Myth One: You Can Use Any Wood in a Fireplace

Let’s begin with the obvious: if you want a sustainable fire that will heat your home, then you need the correct type of wood. You can’t just toss any wood in any condition and expect it to work. Green, or unseasoned, wood is too damp to burn well and will fill your house with smoke. You should use seasoned (also known as cured) wood that has been stored in a dry place for at least 6 months. The type of wood also makes a difference; oak and hickory are typically the longest-burning woods, producing the most heat.

Never use treated wood in your fireplace. Treated wood has chemicals that can be toxic and make you and your family ill. The same goes for painted wood, especially older painted wood from a time when a host of dangerous substances were allowed in paint. 

Myth Two: Your Chimney Doesn’t Need Much Upkeep

Another common myth is that you can use your chimney in perpetuity without cleaning or inspecting it; nothing could be further from the truth. Every time you burn logs in your fireplace, it produces a substance known as creosote, which clings to the inside of your chimney. Creosote is not something to be ignored; as it accumulates in your chimney, the chances of a chimney fire increase. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires. It is wise to hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney at least once a year to prevent creosote buildup and the risk of a chimney fire.

Another reason to have your chimney serviced annually is to make sure it has no leaks. As destructive as creosote is in a fire, water is more damaging to your chimney’s construction. If leaks are left unattended, then your chimney will begin to crumble and eventually collapse.

Myth Three: You Can Only Install a Fireplace in a New Home

Do you find yourself longing for a fireplace in your home, but have dismissed the idea because you have an existing home? Nothing could be further from the truth. With a fireplace insert, you can burn logs in your home more efficiently and effectively than with a traditional fireplace. They can go in any room and don’t require a chimney; they can be vented directly through the wall. There are also gas-, pellet-, and electric-burning models available to suit your preference.

Myth Four: Fireplaces are Dangerous

Fireplaces can be dangerous if handled incorrectly or irresponsibly, but there are several safety measures that can be taken to minimize risk. If your fireplace lacks glass doors, a screen placed in front of it will keep hot embers from vaulting out and onto carpet or furniture. It also prevents children or pets from getting burned. If you also follow the aforementioned safety measures, such as using the correct type of wood or having your chimney serviced by qualified chimney sweeps, then you significantly reduce any risk.

Myth Five: All Fireplaces Look the Same

Another common myth is that your fireplace will have a mantle and look like the ones in Victorian times. If that is your preference, yes, you can have it. However, fireplaces come in a variety of styles, sizes, and types to fit your home’s decor. 

Trust Your Fireplace to Hudson Valley Chimney 

If you want your existing fireplace cleaned and inspected, or if you are interested in installing a fireplace insert in your home, contact us today. We will be happy to answer any questions and dispel any myths about fireplaces. Don’t wait, get in touch now.