When you install a gas or electric fireplace in your home, you’re getting more than just a warmth provider and a gathering place – you’re getting an investment. A fireplace adds significant value to a home, both immediately and down the line, but this is only the case if it’s properly cared for and maintained.

At Uintah Fireplace and Design, our fireplace services include helping you with all varieties of maintenance that might be needed. In addition, we can offer expertise to help you keep your fireplace providing good value to the home along with great comfort – here are some tips.

Reading the Manual

There are many different fireplace styles and models out there, and even if you’ve had a similar one in the past, you never know what small differences there might be in operation or safety. For this reason, it’s vital to read your operating manual when you have the fireplace installed.

Not only will this help keep you and your family safe, it will keep your costs down while keeping the fireplace in great shape. A lack of knowledge in simple operation areas could lead to major strain on certain fireplace elements, which will lower its lifespan and cost you more.

Safety and Flammable Materials

It’s recommended that you keep anything flammable at least three feet away from fireplaces, particularly highly flammable objects like paper, fabrics, wood chips or anything similar. For children or pets, more distance is recommended – installing a safety screen or a glass barrier is often a great way to keep them away from the heat, and these often come standard in many gas fireplace units.

Detectors

Have you recently checked your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working properly? Fireplace installation is a good time to do this, plus to set a regular yearly or twice yearly schedule to check again. Remember that particularly in the case of carbon monoxide, there won’t be any other way to tell anything is wrong – carbon monoxide has no taste, odor or color, and the only other way you’ll notice an abundance of it is if you’re experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Batteries

Down similar lines, make sure to check batteries for all your detectors every time you do a basic check on them. At the same time as you do this, also change the batteries in your gas fireplace receiver if you have one – this is a backup power supply that can light the fireplace with a single button push in case the power in your home goes out and you need the light or warmth. These receivers are popular for homes in storm areas or where the power frequently goes out.

Inspection and Cleaning

Once a year, you should have your fireplace inspected by one of our licensed pros. We can help you with areas you might not be qualified to work on, such as corrosion issues, firebox damage, venting, and the cleaning of various components. These kinds of inspections an basic cleanings will help you avoid much larger and costlier issues that may crop up during the high-use winter season.

For more on how to keep your fireplace working well and providing positive value, or to learn about any of our contemporary fireplace options, speak to the pros at Uintah Fireplace and Design today.