Fireplace Installation - Chimney Or No Chimney?
If you are wanting to add a fireplace to your home, there are a few necessary steps that must take place in order to keep your family and home as safe as possible. Your roof is involved in this process as you must have a chimney for the smoke to escape from the fireplace. Here are a few things to remember when you have a fireplace installation in your home.
Chimney Must Be Working
The chimney on your home can crack or deteriorate over time, so if you have one, you need to make sure it is up to code and properly functioning before burning a fire inside your house. Older homes with existing chimneys need to be inspected before you burn your first fire, especially if you have a gas fireplace installed. The danger here is that you might expose your family to too much carbon monoxide, which could have deadly results. In order to burn a fire safely, make sure you have an inspection done as well as routine maintenance on your chimney if you regularly use the fireplace. Fire from both gas or woodburning fireplace installations produces a lot of smoke that has to have a place to go; otherwise, it will fill your home with smoke and cause problems for your family.
What If I Don't Have a Chimney?
If your home does not have a chimney but you really want a fireplace installation in your home, you need to talk to your roofing company about what your options are. Sometimes it is as simple as adding a vent that leads the smoke outside if you are using a gas or propane fire. When you have this type of chimney system, it is important to get routine cleanings to make sure the vent is safe and not dirty, much like a homeowner would clean out the flue on their chimney.
A great option for people who do not want to deal with maintenance and cleaning would be an electric fireplace installation. This type of fireplace does not have any dangerous fumes associated with it and can be easily turned off or on by the switch of a button. You might need an electrician to come and help make sure your fireplace installation in the home is done correctly, but oftentimes it is a great option for a hassle-free, warm, cozy fire. With this option, you will get all of the benefits of a fire without the danger of an actual fire.
To learn more, contact a fireplace installation contractor.