Winter Fireplace Maintenance Checklist: Keep It Safe and Efficient

There’s something irreplaceable about a fireplace in winter: the warm, soft glow, the comforting crackle. A fireplace is not only an aesthetically appealing focal point that makes your home look and feel cosier and more welcoming, but it’s also an asset that increases its value. Yet if you’re planning to purchase one to warm you through this winter and beyond, you might be wondering if the benefits will be worth the work involved. Just how time-consuming is fireplace maintenance?

Different fireplaces have different care requirements. But there’s good news: there’s nothing strenuous involved. Just a few simple steps each year can keep your fireplace clean, safe and fit for use.

Home Fires is Sydney’s leading fireplace retailer. And with more than 40 years of experience under our belts, we’ve had a lot of practice taking care of fireplaces. Here’s our guide on how to clean and maintain a fireplace, whether it’s wood, gas or electric-powered. We cover how to keep your fireplace running safely and efficiently, as well as address other questions and concerns, such as fireplace maintenance cost.

Fireplace Safety Checklist (All Types)

While fireplaces vary in their cleaning and maintenance needs based on fuel type, some safety measures are important across the board. Regular inspections and cleans help your fireplace operate efficiently, reduce creosote build-up and cut down on fireplace maintenance cost.

Here’s a fireplace maintenance and safety checklist applicable to all kinds:

• Keep a fire screen in front of the fireplace all year round to protect children and pets and to prevent embers and ash from spreading around the room.
• Extinguish or turn off the fireplace before leaving the house or going to sleep.
• Don’t place anything above the fireplace, including artworks, and keep furniture, lamps, framed photographs, etc., at least one metre away from the fireplace.
• Make sure you have quality tools on hand for fireplace cleaning: a good quality firebox brush to remove debris and soot, a shovel with a long handle to clean out ashes and personal protective gear like a dust mask and heat-resistant gloves.
• Clean the fireplace regularly. While the frequency of cleaning depends on the type and how often you use it, once a month is a good benchmark to aim for. Consider an annual professional fireplace clean, plus chimney inspection and cleaning. In Australia, this can range from approximately $150-$300, so make sure you budget for the expense.
• Test that your smoke alarms are working and, if not, replace the batteries or the alarms themselves.
• Throughout the winter and beyond, keep an eye out for signs of damage or wear and tear of your fireplace, such as heavier-than-usual soot build-up or smoke entering the room.

Maintenance for Different Types of Fireplaces

Every type of fireplace has its pros and cons. Wood-burning fireplaces are traditional, sustainable, and cost-effective, but they require more cleanup than other types. Gas fireplaces are cleaner and more convenient, but cost more in fuel. Electrical fireplaces are easy and affordable to install, with no venting required, but rely on electricity and can increase your bill.

Here’s how to clean and maintain a fireplace:

Wood Fireplace Maintenance

• After every use, wait until the fireplace is cool before removing it, double-bagging it and placing it in the general waste bin. Disposing of ash before it has properly cooled has been known to start fires.
• Leave a bed of ash about 2.5 centimetres thick at the bottom of your wood-burning fireplace or heater, insulating the firebox and making the next burn easier to light. Maintain that layer by removing excess ash as necessary.
• Have your chimney cleaned by a professional once a year to remove the buildup of soot and creosote. It’s best to do this during the winter months when there’s less humidity. Your chimney cleaner can also inspect the structural integrity of the chimney and the firebox and flue for cracks.

Gas Fireplace Maintenance

• While gas fireplaces don’t produce soot or creosote, you still have to clean debris off them regularly, e.g. use glass cleaner on the front and vacuum or wipe dust from the decorative logs.
• Inspect the connections and valves on your gas unit for leaks.
• Have your gas unit serviced by a professional every two years at least.
• Keep your fireplace in good condition with additional gas fireplace maintenance tasks: dust the mantel, inspect the flue, check the pilot light and replace the batteries as necessary.

Electric Fireplace Maintenance

• Regularly dust the outside of your electric fireplace to keep it clean and to prevent dust from getting inside the unit. Wipe it down with a soft, dry cloth.
• To clean dust and fingerprints off the front of the unit, switch it off and wait for it to cool down completely. Use a cleaner specifically designed for glass, applying it to a clean cloth rather than directly to the screen.
• Regularly check and replace components and accessories as necessary, including the remote and controls, LED light bulbs, fan, and heater.

Heat Your Home with Home Fires

A little fireplace maintenance means a comfortable and inviting home you can enjoy throughout winter and beyond. And the easiest place to find a fireplace that suits you and your family’s needs is right here at Home Fires.

Home Fires has high-quality wood, gas and electric heaters and fireplaces from leading brands like Rinnai, Masport, Maxiheat and Nectre, available for all kinds of budgets and price ranges. Our fireplaces feature built-in Wi-Fi and Smart Technology, 3D flame effect technology, and state-of-the-art safety features. We stock brands with the highest levels of innovation and efficiency so that even if you favour a fireplace with a rustic feel, the experience remains convenient for you.

Home Fires is Sydney’s leading and longest-running independent fireplace retailer. With a strong reputation among our long-standing suppliers, we offer all the leading fireplace brands under one roof, as well as supply, installation, and service for all our fireplace models. We have a tradition of offering industry-leading service and warranty from our long-standing suppliers.

To find out more, drop into our Minto or Casula locations or contact the Home Fires team online.