Fireplace Accessories That Prevent Chimney Fires
Fireplace accessories placed in full view around the fireplace are not only useful tools, but decorative accents as well. These are the tools that are most familiar.
However, there are other accessories that are even more useful because they help keep your home safe from chimney fires. No, these products are not decorative, but they are important in the safe use of your fireplace. We will discuss products that keep the chimney safe from potential fires.
What causes chimney fires?
A build up of creosote is a major cause of chimney fires. When you burn wood in a fireplace, creosote is a by-product that accumulates on the walls of the flue in the chimney. Creosote is highly flammable and is produced when the right temperature isn’t used to burn wood.
The creosote accumulation is ignited by the hot gasses in the flue resulting in a chimney fire. If your chimney is not in the best condition, the fire can spread to the framing of the chimney or ignite the roof, causing significant damage to other areas of the home.
Products to Prevent Creosote
The most affordable products to prevent creosote build up are special logs and other products to burn while you are burning wood in your fireplace. The special logs reduce the weight and thickness of creosote build up. Fireplace nuggets made of natural products that burn without leaving creosote residue are used as fire starters.
You can become your own chimney sweep with a 4-piece tool kit that allows you clean your own chimney. The kit includes extensions and brushes to clean the flue of excess creosote. A rotary model is also available that fits on the end of an electric drill.
A granular product works by reducing creosote to ashes that are easily swept from the flue. All you have to do is place a scoop of granules into the fireplace before lighting the fire.
There are many gas fireplace accessories, modern fireplace accessories, outdoor fireplace accessories, fireplace hearth accessories for your antique, brass, wood fireplace. You can usually get various items like inserts on discount.
Products to Add to the Structure of the Chimney
Even though these products are more expensive at first, there is little to no maintenance needed, so you realize savings over time. They are permanent ways to reduce the possibility of a fire in the chimney.
Stainless Steel Chimney Liner
When your original clay liner becomes cracked or broken, it can be relined with a rigid or flexible stainless steel pipe. The stainless steel chimney liner can also be used as the original flue.
Chimney Caps
Chimney caps are aluminum, copper, or galvanized/stainless steel coverings for chimneys. The built-in screen serves to capture sparks and to keep animals out of the chimney. An added bonus is the prevention of rain from entering the flue.
Top-Sealing Dampers
This device is placed at the opening of a chimney to seal the flue shut when the fireplace is not in use.
When we think of fireplace accessories, we think of the beautiful wrought-iron tools on their own stands that grace the fire place, or the decorative screens that add distinction to the room. We talked about the most important accessories that you wouldn’t dare leave on display near your fireplace, but they help prevent the loss of your loved ones and home by preventing a chimney fire.