Other than your HVAC system, you heavily rely on your fireplace to keep you comfy during the winter months. Since it sustains heavy use, you should have it cleaned and maintained regularly to keep it free from contaminants, such as wood ash. In this post, Batts’ Chimney Services, the leading chimney repair and cleaning company, shares how you can deal with wood ash as the winter season ends.
When Should You Remove Wood Ash?
Wood ash is a byproduct of the wood that you burn in your fireplace. Different types of wood can cause varying levels of ash buildup. If you notice that it’s difficult to ignite a fire in your fireplace, then this means that the ash layer has grown too thick, warranting you to have it cleaned.
It could seem like a practical solution to remove the ash every time you use your fireplace, but your chimney cleaning specialist recommends leaving at least an inch of ash present on your firebox’s floor. The small amount of ash allows you to easily maintain a fire, but this should be removed at the end of the heating season. This is also a great time to have your chimney inspected.
How to Remove Wood Ash?
Make sure that you wait at least three days after using your fireplace to clean out wood ash. This ensures that the ash is completely devoid of heat. Pick up your fire shovel, scoop out the ash, put them in a secure bag, and throw it into the waste bin. If you have an ash dump nearby, put the ash through the plate on the firebox’s floor.
Batts’ Chimney Services is a family-owned and -operated company that provides quality chimney new construction and chimney sweep services. With several years of experience, you can count on us for an efficient and thorough process that would ensure the safety of your chimney. Call us at (205) 956-8207 (Jefferson County) or (256) 660-1338 (Northeast Alabama). You can also fill out our contact form to request a quote.
