An outdoor fireplace is a great way to heat your space during the winter months, and after spending a tidy sum on expert outdoor fireplace builders installing it, you don’t want it to go to ruins after a short time, do you? To ensure this doesn’t happen, you have to protect it.
Are you wondering how do I protect my outdoor fireplace? There are plenty of ways to go about it. Here are some of the things to do:
Use the right wood
Fireplace owners often use whatever wood they can get their hands on, but there’s a difference between types of wood. If you want to keep your outdoor fireplace in good condition, ensure that you only use dry hardwood pieces like maple or oak.
These types of woods burn longer and more evenly than softwoods such as pine or cedar, which tend to produce more ashes and creosote. Creosote causes chimney fires, so if you’re going to burn softwoods, be sure to clean out your chimney every year or two.
Keep it dry
Water is one of the biggest threats to outdoor fires because it can cause rusting and cracking in metal or stone fireplaces. To protect your fireplace from water damage, cover it with a waterproof cover when not in use, or install a screen that will keep the rain out of the firebox.
Clean it regularly
The best way to clean your fire pit is to clean it regularly. You can do this with a soft brush. If you have a metal grate, you can use a wire brush or steel wool to get into the crevasses and remove any rust or gunk built up there.
It’s best not to use soap or detergent on your fire pit because these products can damage the surface of the stones and may even cause them to crack or break if they’re not cleaned off immediately after use.
If your fireplace has an exposed stone surface, you should also ensure that it’s sealed with a good quality sealer every year or two, protecting it from water damage and help preserve its natural beauty for years to come.
Maintain its structural integrity
If you have an old-style stone or brick fireplace, it may be essential to maintain its structural integrity and appearance.
The stones that make up your outdoor fireplace can become loose over time due to erosion or other environmental factors like rainwater runoff.
This can lead to cracks in between them which could cause them all to fall apart over time if not repaired properly.
Don’t burn too much at once
The best way to prevent creosote from building up in the chimney is by keeping the fire small and burning it for only an hour or two at a time.
Don’t put anything combustible in front of the fireplace unless it’s protected by bricks or something else that will keep sparks from flying out.
Use a metal screen on top of the bricks or rocks.
If you have an open outdoor fireplace on top, make sure that you have a metal screen installed so that sparks do not fly out into your yard or driveway when you’re burning wood.
It may also help keep animals from jumping in and getting burned by the fire if they jump in while it’s still hot.
Keep all flammable materials from the fireplace.
This includes dry leaves and grasses, wood piles, and shrubbery. Ensure that children don’t play near the area where you burn your firewood, especially after dark when they can’t see any sparks flying out from inside the chimney.
Bottom Line
If you have an outdoor fireplace, you know how enjoyable sitting around a warm fire with friends and family can be. To continue enjoying your unit for long, observe the above tips given by outdoor kitchen contractors Long Island.
