Store and dispose of your ashes properly

Store and dispose of your ashes properly

The warm glow of a wood-burning fire in your fireplace or stove is something that’s hard to resist and impossible to imitate. Investing in a wood-burning heating appliance will not only improve the way you heat your home, it will also create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort that you will absolutely love. As with any major appliance, maintaining your fireplace or stove is most essential if you want to keep it working efficiently. Keeping a clean firebox is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your appliance is burning efficiently and safely.

Why Do I Need To Remove Ash From My Fireplace?

There are a number of reasons to remove ash from your fireplace. Firstly, if left to build up, the ash can cause a mess inside your fireplace and the surrounding area. Ash can cause stains and can be a real problem if your chimney is not kept neat. Additionally, too much ash in your fireplace can cause the grate to burn out quickly, which can mean costly and unnecessary replacements for you.

Should I Leave A Little Ash In My Fireplace?

Yes, about an inch of wood-burning by-product should be left in your fireplace. The reason for this is because ash is a great insulator and can make it easier to build a long-burning fire that burns very hot. The coals of a fire will nestle into the moderate amount of ash left behind and will generate even more heat than if your firebox was left completely clean or left with too much ash inside.

What Are Some Ash Removal Best Practices?

Of course, when you’re cleaning out your firebox you want to take great care, and calling a professional company is the best way to do so. Ash can be messy and you don’t want to inhale any particles. Beyond this, many fireboxes have traps and other cumbersome inserts that can make removing ash difficult and dirty. A professional company like Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps in upstate South Carolina can aid in all your ash removal and chimney sweeping. A certified company will have trained professionals that are well versed in all types of wood-burning appliances so you can be sure your fireplace or wood stove is in good hands. Once they’ve removed all the ash, ask them to reserve some to be recycled around your own home. It may sound silly but there are a variety of uses for the leftovers including:

Use around garden beds to repel snails and slugs
Use as a de-icer during cold winter months
Save ash and use if a pet has an encounter with a skunk
Enrich compost by adding a little bit of ash to your outdoor bin

Maintaining your wood-burning fireplace or stove will keep it burning efficiently and safely all winter long. Trusting a professional chimney sweep to handle ash removal, chimney sweeping and chimney inspection will aid in keeping your home clean, safe and ash free. Contact Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps today and enjoy the warm glow of your fireplace without all the messy work.