It’s that time of year where we may find ourselves using our fireplaces less and less as the days get warmer – but that doesn’t we should neglect them. As your fireplace is exposed to a much warmer climate, we thought we’d share a few tips on how to keep your fireplace safe this summer!
1. Schedule an Annual Service
Even bespoke fireplaces should be serviced on a regular basis to increase their lifespan, maximise safety and enhance their functionality, and what better time to arrange a service than summer?
As you’ll be less reliant on your fireplace during the warmer months (or days!), it’s a great time to undertake fireplace maintenance and allow engineers to service the fireplace. When you’ve made a statement feature of bespoke marble fireplaces or you’ve enhanced your living space with a luxury modern fireplace, routine servicing will give you peace of mind that your fireplace is working safely and optimally.
2. Close Valves and Disconnect the Power
If you plan on undertaking any fireplace maintenance this summer, be sure to prepare the fireplace first to enhance your safety and prevent any unnecessary damage.
If you have a modern gas fireplace, for example, you’ll want to ensure that the valve is closed before you clean or maintain the fireplace so that gas doesn’t leak into your home while the work is underway. Alternatively, for modern electric fireplaces, you can disconnect the fireplace from the power source to ensure it isn’t accidentally switched on while you’re cleaning the area.
On chillier summer evenings, you might want to use your fireplace for light, heat and/or ambience, so do make sure that the fireplace is completely cool before you attempt to undertake any maintenance work.
3. Remove Debris from Vents, Flues and Chimneys
Over time, dirt and debris can build up in vents, flues and chimneys and, if they aren’t removed, they could pose a risk to your health and safety. In addition to this, failing to remove dirt and debris from vents, flues and chimneys will prevent them from working as effectively, which could impact the functionality of your bespoke fireplace.
Homeowners can undertake some vent, flue or chimney cleaning, providing if you’ve got the right equipment to hand. Using a flue bristle brush to remove debris from the flue can be highly effective, for example, but it’s essential to choose a brush that’s well suited to the size, shape and liner of the flue.
As there are a fair number of risks associated with cleaning these parts of your fireplace, you may prefer to hire a professional to do this for you. By arranging for vent, flue and chimney cleaning to take place in the summer, you can be sure that your fireplace will be working optimally by the time the autumn weather returns.
4. Clean the Firebox
The firebox is where the flames of your fireplace occur, and summer maintenance will ensure it’s clean and free from dust, dirt or grime. While a modern electric fireplace won’t emit smoke or ash, dust can still build up over time so cleaning the firebox is an important way of keeping your bespoke fireplace in fabulous condition.
Before you get started, be sure to read the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions and use them to plan your cleaning regime. In general, however, you can simply open the firebox or remove the glass surround and use a cloth to gently wipe away dust and dirt.
5. Keep Glass Streak-Free
Many modern designer fireplaces feature glass surrounds that provide a spectacular view of the flames from all angles. A panoramic fireplace will feature a large glass insert that runs the full length of the fireplace, for example, while a two-sided or three-sided fireplace will include two or three glass inserts.
As you might expect, streaks and smudges can easily develop on glass, which can impact your view of the insert and flames when your bespoke fireplace is in use. By taking the time to clean the glass during the summer, you can ensure that your fireplace remains in tip top condition.
Again, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when cleaning the glass surrounds of your fireplace. If in doubt, a lightly damp microfibre cloth and specialist fireplace glass cleaner is typically the best option.
6. Clean Fireplace Surrounds
Depending on the style and design of your bespoke fireplace, you can take various approaches to keeping the surround looking as good as new. If your designer fireplace has a tile surround, for example, you could use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust or dirt. For bespoke marble fireplace surrounds, a gentle PH-neutral cleaner is generally recommended, while a specialist granite cleaner should be used for granite fireplace surrounds.
Remember – always use a non-abrasive cleaning product when maintaining your fireplace as this will prevent the material from being scratched or marked. In addition to this, it’s advisable to test any new products or cleaning methods on a small, discreet area of the surround to ensure it’s well suited to the material.
Keeping Designer Fireplaces in Fabulous Condition
A luxury designer fireplace can truly be the centrepiece of any room, so you’ll want to ensure it’s kept in fabulous condition throughout the year. As summer is the perfect time to undertake fireplace maintenance, use these warmer months to have your fireplace cleaned and serviced so it’s ready for autumn and winter.
Of course, the summer sun doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the ambience and atmosphere of a crackling fire. With a bespoke outdoor fireplace or firepit, for example, you can add warmth to summer evenings and create an inimitable atmosphere on patios or in courtyards and gardens.
To learn more about our bespoke fireplaces, contact our team to arrange an in-person or virtual appointment at our exclusive fireplace studio. With extensive experience and unparalleled knowledge, our dedicated team will be happy to help you design, create and maintain a spectacular fireplace for your home. Call now on +44 (0) 3456156518 or email us at [email protected] to arrange your appointment now.