Without regular maintenance, household stoves lose their efficiency and aesthetic appearance and become a potential source of fire. To prevent this, any heating devices must be serviced promptly and correctly.
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Seasonal Care
Furnace maintenance during the heating season is carried out regularly and consists of the following:
- cleaning from ash and coals formed during the combustion of solid fuels. The accumulation of non-combustible residue leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the heating device and an increase in soot formation. You need to remove ash 1-2 times a week, and when burning coal – before each heating;
- sealing cracks between bricks that may appear during operation. Most often they are observed in the places where the hob is attached, the doors of the ash pan and the combustion chamber, along the chimney ducts. For repairs, use a mixture of clay and sand, fireclay clay or special industrial grout;
- monthly inspection of the chimney pipe head in winter to prevent blockage due to freezing;
- adjustment of uniform heating. This protects against cracking of heating surfaces due to overheating of brick and metal. The walls of a stainless steel oven can even become deformed.
If soot flies out of the chimney, a burning smell appears, and dark wet spots appear along the stove ducts – this means that the chimney needs to be cleaned without waiting for the end of the heating season. In order not to engage in such dirty work during the cold season, experts recommend periodically burning potato peels, table salt, aspen or alder logs to prevent the formation of soot and creosote, and not using wet firewood. You can also use special industrial preparations.
Preventive Maintenance
To maintain the operability of the furnace and prevent soot fire, the following mandatory measures are carried out annually:
- external inspection of the masonry. Cover up cracks and cracks;
- assessment of the condition of the combustion chamber. If the grate is burnt out, it must be replaced. Completely remove any remaining ash and soot with a brush or vacuum cleaner. Chips on the inner lining are repaired;
- checking the integrity of metal ceilings, views and other dampers. If they are smoked or covered with scale, they are cleaned with a wire brush, damaged parts are repaired or replaced;
- cleaning chimneys through inspection windows using a brush on a long bendable handle. If there are pieces of brick or mortar inside, you will need to call a stove technician to make repairs. You can also clean from the roof, but in this case, sections of the channel that are curved at right angles remain untouched;
- inspection of the integrity of the cutting in the attic. Detected damage to the masonry is covered with clay-sand mortar;
- checking the pipe head for clogging of its lumen.
Repairs and maintenance are carried out between the end and the beginning of the heating season.
Cast Iron & Metal Fireplace Stoves
Cast iron stoves are much easier to maintain. Carbon deposits practically do not accumulate on thick walls, corrosion is not detected, so it is enough to wash them with water and a non-aggressive detergent. To maintain the operational characteristics of the stove, the size of the logs and heating time are of great importance. This is extremely important because to replace a failed part you have to disassemble the entire structure.
Similar care is carried out for stainless steel products; there is no need to even paint them. Their weak point is the welds, which need to be constantly checked. Because of this, the device cannot be used in forced mode. It is more convenient to clean the chimney through the pipe head, keeping in mind that stainless steel cannot be treated with a steel brush.
Caring for a stove that is operated correctly and does not burn rubber, plastic and other debris in it is simple and does not take much time. But it is still advisable that the condition of the heating device be inspected and cleaned at least once every 4-5 years by a professional stove-maker.
