What to Know About Ash Disposal
Do you know that the fire department responds to hundreds of incidents of fires each year that are caused by illegally disposing of fireplace ashes? Did you know that? This could come as a surprise to some people, particularly those who are not familiar with the correct disposal of ash. Even though there is no longer any smoke being produced, the ashes themselves can retain their heat for several days after the fire has been extinguished. Even if you are unable to detect any heat coming from them, there is still a possibility that there are hot coals buried deep beneath the ash.
The reason for this is due to the fact that ash functions as an insulator for these coals, allowing them to maintain their heat for a longer amount of time without completely extinguishing themselves. These dormant coals may reach temperatures high enough to cause paper, wood, grass, and even plastic to catch fire and melt. It is not always necessary to make direct contact with the cinder however; sometimes, simply carrying an open container through the house is enough to cause fragments of the cinder to fall or sparks to fly, which can ignite flammable materials within the house.
If you want to keep your fireplace in good condition, you should avoid burning anything that hasn’t been given the go-ahead to be burned in one. You should stay away from any rubbish and cardboard, as these items might start a fire within the chimney, which would result in irreversible damage to the structure. When getting rid of ashes, you should avoid doing so on days when there is a lot of wind since the wind might pick up even colder embers and rekindle them, which can convert the ashes into a potentially disastrous ball of fire. Keeping all of this in mind and following the correct procedure for disposing of your ashes is a process that is both straightforward and essential. Fireplaces have the ability to be both a source of warmth and beauty; nevertheless, if proper safety precautions aren’t taken, they may cause irreparable damage to your home and even put your life in danger.
How to Dispose of Ashes in an Appropriate Manner
The correct disposal of ash doesn’t have to be challenging, despite the fact that it could look scary at first. The only thing you need to do is keep safety in mind and give it the seriousness it deserves. The removal of ashes from a fireplace is an extremely vital task however, as doing so may lengthen the life of the grates and increase the quantity of wood that can be burned at once.
You are going to need the appropriate gear before you can get started, so make sure you get a face mask to protect yourself from inhaling any ash and fire-resistant gloves to protect your hands from getting burned. In addition to this, it is of the utmost need to get a container that is both robust and incombustible, since the ashes will be contained within it for at least a couple of days. Since metal and earthenware are both incombustible materials, getting a container that is constructed out of one of these two materials is highly advised. You are going to want to grab a metal shovel or trowel from this location, as well, so that you may scoop up the ashes.
It is strongly suggested to wait at least twenty-four hours after the final burning before beginning the process of ash removal. However, regardless matter how much time has passed, you should always treat ashes as though they are hot. Once the door to the stove or fireplace has been opened, position the ash container so that it is in front of the entrance.
If you have any concern or inquiries but is not sure who to ask for help, you can call Local chimney Sweep Cleaning to help you. We also offer professional Chimney Cleaning Georgetown and repairing.