Fireplaces can serve many uses in your home, many of which can make it cozier than before!
Pittsburgh loves its fireplaces. If you’ve ever looked at older homes when shopping around, you know how frequently they pop up. Some fireplaces are boarded up and no longer in use (we’ll talk about those in a minute), but you can find some that are still in use. While they can certainly make a living room cozy, they can also become safety hazards if they’re not maintained properly.
How to Maintain Your Wood-Burning Fireplace
To prevent house fires and health issues, here’s what you should do:
1. Clean the fireplace and chimney each year. Burning wood leaves behind creosote (a natural wood by-product), ash, dirt, and dust. If allowed to build up, these can catch fire inside the chimney, potentially leading to a dangerous house fire. Removing this build-up will also be good for your respiratory health because these airborne particles can damage your lungs over time. While the frequency at which you should clean your fireplace and chimney depends on how often you use it, most experts recommend cleaning them at least once a year.
2. Consider adding fireplace doors. Fireplaces can generate a lot of heat, but they also pose threats outside of chimney fires: someone could fall in, sparks could float out and land on something flammable, and burning logs could roll out onto your floor or carpet. Heatproof glass can give you an extra layer of safety when you don’t need the heat but still want the aesthetic.
3. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Ensure your fire extinguisher is a Class A. Class A extinguishers use monoammonium phosphate, which makes them perfect for smothering wood fires.
How to Use A Wood-Burning Fireplace Indoors
Some steps you can follow to ensure you use your fireplace safely:
1. Use the right wood. Hardwoods like oak, birch, and ash are generally your best bet. Their advantages:
They cause less creosote
They burn hotter
They burn longer
2. Install a fan. A fan or blower will help distribute the heat from the fire around your home. This will make the fireplace more efficient and reduce the need for other sources of heat.
How to Decorate an Old Fireplace
If you no longer want to burn wood in your fireplace, many in Pittsburgh have found new ways to make the hole in the wall an attractive focal point—which is an inexpensive way to increase your home’s value and could really help in staging your home if you’re trying to sell.
Here are some ideas you can try:
1. Place candles or lanterns inside. These candles will add extra light and romance to the room. Lanterns will add a rustic feel, and they go well with white walls or brick.
2. Turn it into a bookshelf. Use your fireplace to house some of your favorite books and other pieces of decor. Feel free to add some color with a back-splash or by painting the shelf a fun, vibrant color.
3. Tile it off. Some people choose to board up the fireplace and cover the boards with marble tile (or other materials).
4. Place a planter inside. Your fireplace is also a great spot for a planter. You’ll add some natural green to the room for everyone to enjoy. Bonus: The plants won’t ever be in the way.
If you’re looking for a home with a beautiful fireplace (or need ideas for yours), contact us! Use theblocks@theblocksintheburgh.com or 412.926.7976!
Cheers,
Julie & Ted