Fireplace Installation: What You Should Know
So, you’ve chosen an elegant woodburning fireplace to add warmth and character to your home. What should you expect from the installation process? Do you have the right kind of professional to complete your installation? You might also want to learn about what kind of maintenance your fireplace will need after it’s installed.
Here’s what you need to know about a woodburning fireplace installation.
Get a WETT Inspection
There are two reasons in which you will need to have a WETT inspection performed. When an non-certified technician/person is installing the wood burning fireplace (i.e. homeowner). The second instance in which you will require a WETT inspection is on an existing installation.
Either way, if you want the best insurance rates and want your woodburning fireplace installation to be in compliance, you’ll need a WETT inspection performed, if you a non-certified technician/person is installing your unit. WETT stands for “wood energy technology transfer” and a WETT certified inspector can ensure that your woodburning fireplace is as safe as possible, both in terms of fire risk and emissions. Most insurance companies in Canada now require these inspections in order for you to get home insurance.
When a wood burning fireplace is installed by a WETT certified technician, a WETT inspection is not required. We have two WETT certified technicians so that we can provide you with a properly installed wood burning fireplace from the start. Our certified technicians will examine the whole fireplace system and see how far it is from potentially combustible materials. This ensures your home is as safe as it can be and gives you peace of mind.
What Happens During Installation?
During your actual fireplace installation, you the homeowner and your technician have a few tasks to complete. You will have to clear out space for the fireplace and have it framed. Once the space is cleared and framed you technician will install the venting components and pass the vent pipe through the roof. Like a gas fireplace, your woodburning fireplace will require electrical connections for the fans. Woodburning chimneys also need to be larger in diameter due to extremely high temperatures and may need additional clearances.
Of course, you should also expect your fireplace installer to arrive promptly, keep you updated on how the installation is going and clean up after themselves when they leave.
What to Expect from Your Woodburning Fireplace
Once your woodburning fireplace is installed, you can expect it to require yearly maintenance in order to stay efficient, safe, and beautiful. Yearly, your fireplace will need:
- Professional inspection
- Cleaning of external and internal parts
- Cleaning of glass
- Replacement of your fire alarm and carbon monoxide detector’s batteries
You can reduce the fireplace’s need for maintenance by treating it right. Burn only the correct kinds of wood in it and don’t ignore warning signs like smoking, high levels of creosote build-up in the fireplace, or unusual discoloration on the glass. If you see any of these signs you should reach out to your fireplace installer right away.
Do you have other questions about your fireplace installation? We’re happy to help you through the whole processing, from choosing your fireplace to conducting its yearly maintenance. Contact Stamford Fireplaces for the best fireplaces around.
Sources:
https://fireplacesonline.com/10-top-tips-for-maintaining-a-wood-burning-fireplace/
https://www.thecolumbusteam.com/2016/12/5-tips-on-how-to-care-for-a-gas-fireplace/
https://www.efireplacestore.com/how-to-install-a-fireplace-diy.html
