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Before turning on your computer and searching “fireplace cleaning near me,” ask yourself this: how much do you really know about fireplace and chimney maintenance? You are taking a step in the right direction by looking for chimney cleaning in Lewisville, NJ, but there is still much to learn. There are many different parts to both a chimney and a fireplace, and you should know about them all if you want to know what kind of maintenance is necessary to have a clean and functional fireplace in your Mercer home.
The Parts of a Fireplace
Screen or Doors
The screen, doors, or glass barrier between the fire and the rest of the room protects those present from getting too close to the heat and prevents sparks from escaping the fireplace and igniting in your home. It is a simple feature and there are many varieties and styles, but it is essential to having a safe fireplace installation.
Fireplace Hearth
The hearth in the fireplace is the actual box-like structure where the fire sits and burns to warm your home. It is important to make sure this area is kept clean and that the panels of the hearth are not cracked. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, the panels of your hearth need to be replaced when you can fit a dime into the cracks. You can also have refractory panels installed in your hearth, which will reflect heat back into your home. This can be a nice feature to have during the colder months in Lewisville, NJ.
Grate
The grate is the metal frame on which the burning logs sit, providing a barrier in between the fire and the floor of the hearth. The grate makes sure the floor of the hearth does not overheat and keeps the burning timber all in one place, so that the fire does not spill out of the fireplace.
Smoke Chamber
The smoke chamber is an empty area just above the fireplace hearth and the damper which is shaped like and upside-down funnel. Its purpose is to direct smoke from the fire up into the flue to ensure the smooth emission of smoke from your home. If your fireplace is producing an excess of smoke, it may be a sign that the smoke chamber has lost functionality and needs to be cleaned.
Fireplace Damper
The fireplace damper serves as a trapdoor above the hearth that closes when there is no fire burning. It prevents cold air from coming into your home through the chimney flue. Again, this is a very simple component of the fireplace, but it is effective in helping keep you Mercer home warm.
The Parts of a Chimney
Chimney Flue
The chimney flue is the tunnel or tube through which the smoke from your fire leaves your house. The flue is one of the most important pieces of any chimney or fireplace and must be properly maintained. You must routinely have your flue scoped with a camera to check for any dangerous buildup or cracks in the lining. A dirty or malfunctioning chimney flue can lead to dangerous fires and endanger your home.
Chimney Cap
The chimney cap is part of the exterior of your chimney. It is a cage-like structure that sits at the top of the chimney and prevents rain, debris, and other elements along with small animals and pests from getting into the flue. It is an essential piece of the chimney because it prolongs the time before your flue needs to be cleaned and protects your chimney from the weather during the rainier months in Lewisville, NJ.
Chimney Crown
The chimney cap sits on top of the chimney crown. It frames the outside of the chimney, merges it seamlessly with the roof, and catches the rain and debris as they are directed away from the chimney flue by the cap. Furthermore, because it is part of the exterior, there are several varieties and styles to choose from so the outside or your house will still look attractive.
Now that you know about the anatomy of a chimney and a fireplace, it is time to think about looking for “fireplace cleaning near me” in Lewisville, NJ. Don’t waste your time googling “fireplace cleaning near me” – just give us a call at Apex Chimney Repair in Mercer! We are staffed with experienced and certified professionals who will give you no cause for regret.