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Maintenance Tips for Your Outdoor Chimney and Fire Pit

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What could be better than spending warm summer nights with your family around a fire? Adding a fire feature will take your backyard to the next level. From grand fireplaces to modest firepits, your loved ones will have a blast roasting marshmallows and making memories.

However, fire features do require a certain amount of TLC. Caring for these structures increases their lifespan and helps keep everyone safe. Use these maintenance tips for your outdoor chimney and fire pit to create the perfect backyard.

Keep Everything Clean

First things first—keeping your fire features clean is essential to their overall maintenance. Fireplaces and pits generate ash as they burn materials, and this debris can get everywhere and clog up important ventilation components.

Clear out any ash or remaining firewood. For brick pits, you’ll need to use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub away any tough stains. You can use a soft, damp cloth to wipe away messes on metal pits, but be careful when using water; make sure to dry your metal structure thoroughly to avoid rust.

Avoid Drastic Temperature Changes

Fire features produce a lot of heat, a fact which surprises absolutely no one. However, what does surprise some homeowners is that drastic temperature changes can damage your structures.

Going from hot to cold too quickly can cause your chimney and pit materials to crack—this usually happens when you use cold water to clean a freshly-used fire feature. Cracks are safety hazards, so make sure to give your structure plenty of time to cool off before performing any maintenance.

Choose Fuel Carefully

There are several options when it comes to fuel for your fire feature. However, you need to choose carefully, especially if you have children nearby. Burning trash, fire accelerants, or low-quality lumber can be dangerous and emit potentially harmful fumes.

If you assemble them correctly, gas stoves are safe and easy to use. You can also burn high-quality wood for a clean and warm fire. Additionally, outdoor fireplaces need chimneys to direct smoke away from your yard, so using the right materials will improve your air quality.

Hire a Chimney Sweep

The final maintenance tip for outdoor chimneys and fire pits involves hiring a professional. Chimney sweeps know exactly what to look for and have the best resources to clean your fire feature. Even if you can do most of these things yourself, having an expert inspect for safety hazards doesn’t hurt.

Once you’ve cleaned, checked for cracks, picked the right fuel, and hired a chimney sweep, your fire features will be ready to use! Get your family out for some fun around the fire and have a summer they won’t soon forget.

Important Household Chores You May Be Forgetting

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Chances are, you aren’t looking to add more chores to your to-do list. However, these important household chores you may be forgetting or delaying can impact your health and safety and that of your family. Try to make a habit of checking and cleaning these areas of the home to protect your children from allergens, stop fire hazards early, and even reduce your electricity bill.

Removing Lint Behind the Dryer

If you peak over your washer and dryer and notice a dense collection of lint, dust, and dirt, it’s time to make a habit of cleaning back there. This in-home allergen is also a significant safety hazard if you don’t sweep it regularly, as dryer lint is an effective fire starter. Typically, if you notice an excessive amount of dryer lint buildup, the indoor or outdoor dryer vent also needs cleaning or replacement.

Washing the Shower Walls

Cleaning your shower walls may seem weird, but it’s crucial to preventing mold growth in the frequently damp bathroom environment. Leaking faucets, poor drainage, and hard water can all mar your shower’s aesthetic with black mold or scaling. Taking the time to wash the shower on a weekly or monthly basis can stop mold growth in its tracks. Some people even use a daily shower spray on the walls, curtains, and handles to make deep cleanings less frequent.

If you only see a small amount of mold, don’t brush it off for tomorrow. Mold can also grow beneath tile or in areas with unseen leaks. Do some investigating in your shower to decide if a mold remediation specialist is necessary to keep you and your family safe.

Cleaning Your Fridge, Inside and Out

Admittedly, cleaning the fridge is always a hassle. It’s part of why we tend to save that chore for tomorrow—or the next day, or never. However, if you’re looking for the motivation to finally get it done, here it is: a clean fridge saves you money. Dust and dirt often build up on the difficult-to-reach coils, limiting their ability to release heat and making your fridge work overtime to keep the contents cool. While you’re in there, don’t forget to wash out your ice cube trays and vegetable crisping drawers to get rid of any stagnant water, bacteria buildup, or even mold.

Luckily, many of the important household chores you may be forgetting aren’t necessary every week. If you prefer to schedule a big family extravaganza cleaning day once a month, just be sure to include these three tasks on your list and check in on them as you go. Ensuring that these safety hazards aren’t present in your home is certain to give you some peace of mind.