A fireplace adds charm to any home. But to ensure it continues to look beautiful and stays safe to use, Charlie’s Chimney Sweeps and Masonry, a chimney repair and cleaning company based in New Richmond, OH, says there are a few steps you need to take.

Here, their chimney repair experts offer a few tips to help you keep your fireplace running efficiently:

• Use the Right Wood: Make sure you prepare your wood properly, allowing it to season for anywhere from six months (for softwoods) to 12 months (for hardwoods). Keep in mind damp wood is less effective, so it's better to store your wood in an arid space to keep it dry.
• Maintain Your Fireplace: Make sure you regularly clean your fireplace, and sweep out any remaining ash after you've finished using it. Excess debris can often take much longer to burn through and will both increase smoke in your home and decrease the effectiveness of your fireplace.
• Clean Your Chimney Annually: Particles and debris can become stuck in the chimney chamber, decreasing air flow and exchange. To keep your fireplace running smoothly, turn to a chimney repair company to scrub and inspect yours at least once a year. 
• Install a Fireback: Installing an insert or fireback in your fireplace will ensure you are generating more heat that goes directly into your home, rather than up the chimney. In fact, it can instantly increase your fireplace’s efficiency significantly.
• Replace the Grate: Regular metal grates merely prop up the wood so it isn't lying directly on the floor of the fireplace. By utilizing a grate that also function as a blower unit, you can increase the convection heat, therefore making the fireplace more efficient.

If you need help with fireplace maintenance, turn to Charlie’s Chimney Sweeps and Masonry. They offer chimney repair and cleaning services and can even install a new fireplace in your home. For more information about the services they offer, you can call (513) 553-0229 or contact the team via their Facebook page.