COMPANY NEWS: DESIGN TO INSPIRE
We love getting together with our family and friends, which is why we are passionate about providing cast stone fireplaces and stone range hoods that make gatherings a wonderful and memorable experience. For the first time ever, we are offering not just one but two promotions. Throughout the month of September, you can enjoy
10% off on our cast stone fireplaces and 10% off our stone range hoods.
The way you add luxury to your home and upgrade your living room and kitchen is truly inspiring, which is why we’ve gathered your ideas and our ideas into a free, full-color catalog full of ideas. Get our catalog full of design ideas delivered to your home today, explore over 40 of our cast stone fireplace mantels for your home and take advantage of our 10% off discounts throughout September!
EXPERT TIP: MAINTAINING OUTDOOR FIREPLACES
An outdoor feature like a fireplace will add warmth to the outdoor atmosphere of your inviting home. It can serve as an architectural feature, a gathering place and as a perfect focal point in your backyard landscape where friends and family can get together for parties and cozy conversations. Being outdoors means this fireplace needs some extra attention since it’s exposed to more of nature’s elements. With proper maintenance, you can enjoy your backyard fireplace for years to come.
OWS Cambridge Cast Stone Fireplace Mantel
- Trim Around Your Fireplace
Brush, leaves, extra plants and your fireplace can be a dangerous combination. Avoid the spread of excessive plant growth by trimming your landscape. Make this a part of your routine and you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor fireplace worry-free.
- Check Chimneys and Ventilation
If your fireplace is a gas fireplace, make sure your ventilation system is working as it should be at all times. If you think something is wrong with the system, consult a professional to get it repaired before the damage worsens. For a wood-burning fireplace, always clean your chimney. Burning wood leads to a buildup of creosote (residue left over from burning wood) which can damage and weaken your chimney structure. To check if you need to remove the creosote right away, chip some off. If the creosote chip is 1/8th of an inch thick, then it’s time to clean it. If it’s less than that, you should be fine, but it’s best to keep your chimney as creosote-free as possible at all times.
You can also use creosote sweeping logs that can help loosen creosote in addition to backyard fireplace maintenance and cleaning.
- Sweep the Debris
Maintaining your fireplace is easy if you take just a few minutes to clean up after each use. Use a broom to sweep out any debris like left-over burned wood away from the mantel and the hearth. Try to remove as much soot and ash as possible.
- Keep it Pretty
Fireplaces are enjoyed not just for their fire but their architecture as well, and cleaning the face of your fireplace is a good part of your maintenance routine that keeps it looking brand new. Use a stiff-bristled brush and soapy, warm water to clean outside surfaces, hearth and the mantel.
- Hire Professional Inspectors
We can only do so much to maintain our fireplace before we need some help from the pros. Just as you would take your car in to the shop every 5,000 miles, it’s best to have your outdoor fireplace inspected at least twice a year. It’s a small cost to avoid fire and more expensive consequences of improperly maintained fireplaces.
What are your tips to maintain outdoor fireplaces? How do you enjoy yours?