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Fireplaces may no longer be the only source of heating in homes, but there's still nothing much nicer than a warm hearth on a cold winter night.

To keep this much-valued part of a home working safely and efficiently year after year, however, takes good design and maintenance. There's nothing more distressing than a fireplace that "draws" poorly, sending smoke throughout a room, setting off the fire detectors and leaving surfaces dusty and dirty.

For any fireplace to work properly, it needs to have been well-designed in the first place. This means it must have:

A firebox (area above the hearth where fire is built) large enough to contain a fire.
Draw sufficient air for combustion.
Have a smoke shelf to prevent downdrafts from pushing smoke back into a room.
A damper to close off outside air when not in use.
A chimney that ideally rises at least three feet above the roof and is at least two feet higher than anything within 10 feet of it.
The chimney should be relatively straight and smooth with a cap to avoid downdrafts.

Curing a smoky fireplace
A fireplace can meet all the design and installation requirements and still not "draw" properly. The problem can still be cured with a bit of detective work.

Check if there are surrounding hills or trees nearby which can cause downdrafts that bring smoke into a room. Installing a metal chimney cap-stationary or rotating-may be all that's needed.

Smoke from a fireplace can be "pulled" into a room by forced air furnaces, kitchen fans or doors located opposite the fireplace opening. Turning the fans off, keeping the door closed and/or installing a draft inducer in the fireplace (fan that draws hot air up and out the flue) are all possible solutions.

A smoky fire can also result from bird nest-building activities in spring, summer beehives or drifting autumn leaves. Check for these obstructions by lowering a light on an extension cord down the chimney. After removing any obstruction, install a chimney cap to prevent reoccurrences.

If smoke persists, reducing the size of the fireplace opening by raising the hearth or installing a firebox insert are other possible solutions.

Dealing with creosote
Creosote is a tarry substance which is a by-product of wood combustion. It collects most heavily in the cooler parts of the flue near the top of the chimney. If layers are allowed to build up in the flue lining, the draft will be restricted. Creosote is also highly flammable. If not removed regularly, a chimney fire may be the result. Metal chimneys are less prone to creosote buildup than masonry ones. To avoid excess creosote:

Burn only seasoned wood.
Use softwoods, such as pine, only to augment seasoned hardwoods like oak and hickory.
Inspect your chimney and connecting pipes at least twice a year during the burning season and clean as needed.
Clean the flue at least once a year-more often if you use the fireplace regularly.

Good maintenance
If you have recently purchased a home with a fireplace, inspect it thoroughly to ensure there are no significant structural problems. The fall is a good time to do an annual chimney and fireplace cleaning. You can hire a professional chimney sweep or do it yourself.

Do-it-yourself chimney cleaning means having the right equipment (you can purchase basic kits from building and fireplace supply stores) and working from the roof down. Consider the messiness involved and your own safety before doing the job yourself.

During the burning season, clean the fireplace and hearth at least once a week. Remove ashes first, then wipe down the hearth.

Helpful hints
Always place ashes in a metal container since. Embers can smolder for days in an ash pile.
Never place ashes in a paper bag or set near the house.
Place ashes in a metal garbage can for disposal.
Fireplace ashes can enhance garden soil. But check your soil's alkalinity first. Hardwood ashes are already highly alkaline.
Never store any paper, wood or other combustible materials directly in front of your fireplace.
Use a fireproof throw-rug in front of the fireplace to protect carpeting or other flooring from sparks.
Never saturate wood with a flammable liquid to start or rekindle a fire.
Never pour water over a fire. If you are called away suddenly, smother the flames with baking soda, sand, dirt or plain cat litter.
Never leave a burning fire unattended.

Source: Ontario Real Estate Association
MORE HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS
CONTACT INFORMATION
Rick McGuigan, Toronto real estate sales representative.www.househuntingintoronto.com
Rick McGuigan
Toronto real estate sales representative
Coldwell Banker Case Realty
Phone: 416-696-5100
Pager: 416-461-0925

Rick McGuigan is a member of the Toronto Real Estate Board
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Coldwell Banker


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