How to Clean a Brick Fireplace & Service | Elgin, IL
Maintaining your brick fireplace should be a regular part of your household cleaning and upkeep, especially during the months when you are using it. You’ll want to ensure that your fireplace stays clean and free from debris, ashes, or soot that could reignite if embers aren’t fully subdued. After summer is over and before the fireplace-using season fires up again, make sure everything is clean and ready to go.
Majestic Distributing Co-The House of Fireplaces in Elgin, IL, has been serving the Chicagoland area for decades. Choose us as your go-to source for wood-burning, gas, or electric fireplaces, accessories, and replacement parts whether your fireplace is located indoors or outdoors. Trust our experienced team when you require
repair or maintenance services, and look to us for
professional installation when you want a refresh or a brand new fireplace.
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(847) 741-5903 or
submit an online request to call you back if you have questions or would like to get a free quote on a service you’d like us to provide or a product you’d like to purchase from any of the
leading manufacturers we represent. Browse their
online catalogs or come visit our large
showroom in Elgin to view them in person and speak with one of our team members.
Steps on Cleaning Your Brick Fireplace
Soap and water should be all you’ll need to keep your brick fireplace clean. If you have tough stains or streaks, a brick cleaning agent recommended by your trusted hardware professional should help.
Ready to clean your brick?
- Make sure your fireplace is cool to the touch and any loose debris or ashes have been removed.
- Begin by wiping the brick down with water. Once it has been saturated, scrub the brick with a mixture of clear soap and water. For brick with light cleaning needs, you can use a microfiber cloth or masonry sponge depending on your preferences. If you have stains that require a bit of elbow grease to remove, use a non-abrasive bristle brush, with plastic or fiber bristles. Avoid using a metal brush, as the harsh bristles may loosen the mortar surrounding your brick.
- Give the brick a thorough cleaning then follow up with a warm water rinse.
- If you decide to use a brick cleaning agent, make sure it’s suitable for your masonry and open a nearby window if the product recommends ventilating the area.
Importance of Inspecting and Maintaining Your Fireplace
Do you enjoy using your fireplace during those cold Chicagoland winter days and months? If you have a wood-burning fireplace with a chimney, creosote buildup or other debris can collect inside your chimney over time and create blockages to form where air needs to pass through. This could cause smoke to back up in your home or create other potential hazards.
If you regularly use your fireplace, have it inspected by a professional chimney sweeper who will inspect your chimney inside and outside your home and remove all the unwanted elements so your fireplace is good to go for the new fireplace-using season. They’ll look for cracks, check to ensure your chimney crown is secured, and inspect all necessary mechanisms and components to ensure they are working properly. Like a well-maintained vehicle, a properly maintained fireplace can give you years of utility and enjoyment.
A good rule of thumb is to also have your chimney inspected and/or cleaned at the end of every fireplace-using season. That way, you’re ready for when the cold temperatures return and all you can think about is lighting a cozy fire!
How Frequently Should I Clean My Fireplace?
For safety purposes as well as for health and aesthetic reasons, clean your firebox after every use. Remove the ashes, wipe down the walls, clean the glass doors, and check to see that the damper and any other important components ― such as the gas lighter, if applicable ― are in working order. If you use gas logs, make sure to wipe down the logs periodically to keep them free from dust or particles.
Brick Fireplace Ideas
If you love the look, feel, and utility of a brick fireplace and would like to add one to your home ― or refresh the one you currently have ― let Majestic Distributing Co-The House of Fireplaces help you realize your dream. View our photo gallery of recent projects we completed and read the customer reviews on third-party sites about their experience with us.
If you currently have a wood-burning fireplace and would like to switch to an easier-to-maintain gas unit, browse the
online catalogs of the leading manufacturers we represent to locate a gas unit that can be installed inside your current wood-burning fireplace. If you need help installing it, let our team of professionals do it for you.
Visit House of Fireplaces Today in Elgin, IL
Plan a visit to our showroom in Elgin, IL, to browse our in-store selection and speak with one of our knowledgeable team members. View our hours of operation and directions before you head out.
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