Properly Prepare The Fireplace And Stove For The Heating Season

Hot summers are likely to become the norm in Germany in the near future due to climate change. Despite expected record values, you should think about heating with the fireplace already in summer or at the latest in early autumn. Because it will definitely be cold again.

COZY, CONVENIENT, AFFORDABLE: HEATING BY THE FIREPLACE

Already in September, the temperatures at night can already scratch on the border to the frost - and sometimes even exceed it. Even if the values on the thermometer can climb again in the vicinity of 30 degrees during the day, the number of hours of sunshine per day decreases rapidly, it gets dark earlier and the heating demand starts sooner or later. Nice, if you have a cozy fireplace or stove that you can cheer on. But it's not that easy.

A wood-burning fireplace or stove requires regular cleaning, maintenance and care, so everything works smoothly and above all without danger. The break in the summer you can actually use perfect for such a cleaning - but who wants to think on a hot July day on cold winter evenings and clean the fireplace? Nevertheless, it is high time to make the fireplace suitable for winter.

TEST THE STOVE PIPES AND THE CHIMNEY FOR PERFECT FUNCTION

The first view should go inside the stove or the fireplace. Occasionally existing stove pipes must be checked every now and then for contamination. This is mainly due to soot, which can be deposited on the furnace tubes when burning wood. In the long term, the proper functioning of a stove or fireplace will be affected by sooty fume hoods. This not only applies to the chimney, which is regularly cleaned by the chimney sweep, but also to the pipes leading to the stove. This is not just a comfort issue, but can bring real dangers, because soot deposits minimize the effect of the chimney draft, which means that the exhaust gases can not pull off so well.

In extreme cases, they can collect in the interior and not only smoke everything, but ultimately lead to poisoning by flue gases or carbon monoxide. Not least, there is an increased risk of fire, because what many do not know: soot can under certain circumstances ignite itself, if the fireplace is still operated carefree. The thicker the soot layer becomes, the greater the danger. Soot is not the only thing that can affect a chimney. Even if the last cleaning by the chimney sweep is not long ago and theoretically no new soot may have been added due to the heat break in the summer, there are other factors that need to be checked. Damage or foreign objects in the chimney can thus prevent effective smoke extraction.

This is most often done by bird nests or their remnants. In extreme cases, they can even close a chimney completely, and the toxic combustion gases may then enter the living space. If everything looks fine, the throttle valve must finally be checked. Is their function still flawless? Is she open? Ultimately, it is important that the air supply to the fireplace works well.

THOROUGHLY INSPECT THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER

The fireplace or stove itself should also be cleaned from the inside. This is useful in the months outside the heating season, because then everything is cooled down properly and you can get anywhere easily. Although you do not often see the interior of the stove, the careful cleaning should not be neglected, because even here residues of soot can make unattractive. In addition, one can perform on this occasion, a comprehensive visual inspection of the firebricks in the combustion chamber.

These are designed to effectively shield the heat from the rest of the structure. Missing stones or chipped off parts of the mineral plates should be the reason for the replacement of the damaged firebricks. However, cracks that are relatively common are not considered damage in the sense of the word. Even if the stove is sold as maintenance-free and has a long service life even under the strongest load, fireclay counts as wearing parts. If you do not change them in case of damage, the oven housing may heat up more than it should.

Warped stoves are an indication of damaged linings in the combustion chamber - so you should not let it come to such a defect. But as long as the cladding is not damaged as a whole and no parts are missing, the function of the fireclay cladding inside the fireplace is usually not affected by the cracks. You can get spare parts or other accessories in specialist shops, such as in the online shop at  Kamdi24.de.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE OF STOVES

In spite of the possible freedom from maintenance, it is of course always necessary to subject the oven to cleaning. The more thorough the cleaning before the beginning of the heating season, the longer you have your peace. All wearing parts should be visually inspected and, if necessary, maintained. Often forgotten here is the seal of the stove door or the collection box for the ashes. If the seals (especially on the fireplace door) are broken, the stove draws more oxygen than it should. This has an unfavorable effect on the exhaust behavior of the entire furnace system. In addition, as a result of defective seals, more ash can enter the living space. Such a seal you get in the accessories, but the installation should be done professionally.

However, you can lend a hand in the maintenance of the stove door, as far as the hinges. To keep things smooth, lubricate them with a suitable oil or copper paste. But please make sure that the oil does not get into the combustion chamber. The cleaning of the firebox can be done with a commercial glass cleaner and a cloth. Please note that some cleaners may damage the delicate door seals. Therefore, it is advisable not to spray the cleaner directly on the disc, but on the cloth. In general, do not use too much cleaner to prevent cleaning fluid from leaking into the seals.

Wer auf Nummer sicher gehen möchte, kann auch einen speziell auf diese Materialien abgestimmten Ofenreiniger verwenden. Die Außenseiten der Kaminöfen lassen sich ebenfalls reinigen und pflegen. Öfen aus Stahl bekommt man mit einem feuchten Tuch gut sauber. Aggressive Reiniger (und dazu zählen auch Hausmittel mit Essig oder Zitrone) können den Stahl jedoch angreifen und für Rost sorgen. Fliesen und Kacheln eines Kaminofens können ganz normal mit entsprechendem Reinigungsmittel geputzt werden. Rückstände sollten aber so gut wie möglich mit ausreichend Wasser entfernt werden, damit keine schädlichen Dämpfe durch das Aufheizen in die Umgebungsluft abgegeben werden.

Damage to the paintwork may only be repaired with heat-resistant special lacquers intended for use with stoves. Unless otherwise noticeable damage that require further repairs and everything else is in order, the stove can then be easily put into operation.

SHOP FIREWOOD CORRECTLY AND STORE

Of course, the right fuel is particularly important when operating a fireplace or stove. Here you should not wait until the beginning of the heating season, because who in time (ie especially in the summer) is covered with sufficient fuel, usually pays much less for it. Depending on whether you want to burn classic firewood or pellets, you have the choice of various offers. In particular, pellet prices are heavily dependent on the respective heating season and the associated demand. It does not matter if you hit the firewood yourself or have it delivered to you: It has to be stored correctly and has the right residual moisture.

The best is a residual moisture in the wood between 15 and 20 percent. If the wood is still too moist, the combustion is not in the optimal range and produces black smoke, which can be deposited as a particularly stubborn soot in the chimney. Conversely, firewood can also be too dry or too old. Then the calorific value drops considerably and one does not get as far with the same amount of wood as with an ideal moisture content.

If you have your own wood store, you should always fire the oldest wood first, so that the logs are not superimposed. In addition, newly added wood must get the time to dry properly. When stacking so should already be thought of in which order you want to remove the firewood later.

SAVE HEATING COSTS IN THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD

Especially in spring and autumn - the so-called transition period - heating with the fireplace or stove is particularly popular. In addition, it is also a way to reduce heating costs. While the main load should normally be provided by central heating in winter, the stove ideally complements the heating during times when the operation of the complete heating system is not yet worthwhile. Especially on days when it is still warm during the day and it cools down strongly in the evening, it hardly pays to heat the oil heating or gas heating. If you have a sluggish floor heating, it is often too warm during the day or too cool during the day.

On the other hand, the woodburning stove can be easily added if required and also provides an incomparable comfort. The heating costs are also reduced - a factor that should not be ignored. In addition, one is with good stocking with firewood independent when purchasing gas or fuel oil, because here are the prices also according to the demand. If you can then bridge or supplement with firewood, you have another trump in your sleeve. Last but not least, the burning of wood is often a sensible alternative from an ecological point of view. Especially with regard to CO2 reduction, wood has great advantages over fossil fuels.

In contrast, however, is the increased burden of particulate matter and soot, which can lead to a deterioration of the air quality in the environment, especially in the corresponding inversion weather conditions. The neighbors should therefore not completely forgotten when heating with wood.

The most important measures at a glance:

•             Inspecting combustion chamber, stovepipe and chimney

•             if necessary, cleaning of all components

•             Exchange of damaged firebricks

•             Check seals for damage

•             Store fuel in good time and store it properly

CONCLUSION

A fireplace or stove is practical, comfortable and can help save heating costs, especially during the transition period. Important is a proper maintenance and care, which should be done before commissioning in the fall. The inspection of chimney, stove pipes, firebricks and gaskets should be as natural as a thorough cleaning. The stocking with firewood should be done on time and in sufficient quantity (observe proper storage!).

VINYL ON TILES: TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL SELF-LAYING

A new flooring gives the apartment a pleasing appearance. A particularly easy way is to lay vinyl on tiles. Here you will find out what you need to consider.

VINYL ON TILES: IN WHICH SITUATIONS DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?

Tiles are a very robust floor covering. They are designed to last several decades. Although this is actually very positive, but see many people after a few years on their floor tired and want change - although the previous tile floor is actually still in good condition. In other cases, the surface of the tiles has worn off a bit, so that the signs of wear are already clearly visible.

Apart from this visual impairment, however, the tiles have no further damage. Even when moving into a new apartment, it may happen that the residents want to replace the floor covering, although this is still in good condition. In these cases, optical aspects usually play a decisive role: Often the design chosen by the previous inhabitants for the tiled floor does not correspond to the ideas of their successors.

If the tiled floor is still intact, it is usually not necessary to remove it to apply a new topping. In these situations, it may be useful to simply attach it to the tiles. This significantly reduces the effort of the measure. Removing the old tiled floor brings a lot of work. In addition, dirt and dust, under which the quality of living during the renovation significantly suffers. The costs are considerable. If you have to approve such measures in a rented apartment live , you must also note that the landlord . If this does not agree, you must not remove the tiles. For these reasons, it is advisable, if possible, to apply the new flooring directly to the tiles. Vinyl is particularly suitable for this.

VINYL FLOORING FOR A HIGH LEVEL OF LIVING COMFORT

Vinyl is a floor covering made of plastic. From a chemical point of view, it is closely related to the well-known PVC. Already the resolution of this abbreviation - poly vinyl chloride - shows this similarity. However, PVC is a very hard material that is only partially suitable as flooring for the floor. Therefore, this material for the production of vinyl, various additives are added, which make it a little more elastic. As a result, vinyl has excellent properties for use as a floor covering.

In the past, vinyl or PVC floors did not have a particularly good reputation. The chemical substances that were added to the materials led to unpleasant odors and were suspected to be harmful to health. However, you do not have to be deterred by this anymore. Modern vinyl floors undergo an intensive testing process that ensures they contain no harmful substances.

A vinyl floor offers many advantages. If you have previously used a tiled floor, then you certainly appreciate the comfort and easy care of this material. You can wipe these floors damp and therefore clean quickly and thoroughly. You also do not need to oil or polish the surface. If you choose vinyl as a topping, you benefit from the same advantages. Also, this material is easy to clean and resistant to moisture. In comparison to the tile, it also offers some other advantages. Most residents appreciate that vinyl is warm to the feet.

This ensures especially in winter for a pleasant climate in the apartment. In addition, the material is very quiet, so there are no problems with the neighbors. The design possibilities of this floor covering convince many users. There are versions that imitate wood or natural stone. In addition, it can create interesting design floors that give your apartment a very special charm. In addition, it has a positive effect that the installation brings only a small amount of work.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF VINYL FLOORS

Anyone who chooses vinyl as the material for the floor can choose from several product types. For one thing, there are offers that are made entirely of vinyl. These are slightly flexible and have a low strength. But there are still some differences in the field of solid vinyl flooring. Many offers are suitable for floating installation - without the use of adhesives. These products have a click system. This allows you to attach the individual plates or strips firmly together. On the other hand, you must glue other versions to the floor in a wet bed. These are suitable, for example, for use in damp rooms, since floating vinyl floors are not recommended here. Another alternative is self-adhesive vinyl plates. You just have to remove the protective film on the underside and then stick the plate to the surface. These products have a very low thickness - usually it is a maximum of 2 mm.

In addition, there are floor coverings where only the top layer is vinyl. Underneath is a carrier layer made of HDF. This makes the plates particularly stable and stiff. Vinyl floors with HDF backing are usually laid floating. Therefore, they are also equipped with a click system. Their thickness is usually much higher than with full vinyl floors.

WHICH VINYL FLOOR CAN BE ATTACHED TO TILES?

Due to the different types of vinyl floors, the question arises, which of them can be attached directly to the tiles. In the process, self-adhesive products are eliminated. Due to the flexibility of the material and the low strength, the joints of the tiles would still be clearly visible even under the new flooring. That would significantly affect the appearance. Even models that are suitable for sticking in a wet bed, are out of the question. The adhesives used require an absorbent surface that absorbs the moisture. This is not the case with tiles. Therefore, this does not create the required adhesive force.

Accordingly, only floating vinyl floors are suitable for mounting on tiles. These can easily be laid out on the flat surface without the need for further preparatory measures. Small bumps, such as occur in the joints, are simply covered and are no longer visible after laying out.

If you just put the new flooring on the old tiles, you have to keep in mind that the new floor will be slightly higher. This can cause problems - especially in the door area. If you perform this measure only in some areas of the apartment, you must also note that this may cause height differences between the different areas. This leads to the fact that a coating with the lowest possible thickness is recommended. This will reduce the effects of this effect. Since solid vinyl floors are generally much thinner than models with HDF support, they are often laid directly on tiles.

WHICH PROPERTIES MUST THE OLD TILE FLOOR HAVE?

Before you can start working, it is necessary to take a close look at the old tiled floor. Because it is not always guaranteed that you can apply the new vinyl flooring without any problems. The first step is always to check if the existing height is sufficient for the new floor. Especially in the field of doors, it is necessary to measure exactly how much leeway there is. In addition, you should find out whether the position of the door can be adjusted to gain the required height. If it turns out that there is not enough free space, unfortunately, there is nothing left but to remove the old tiles.

In addition, you should use a yardstick to check for any unevenness in the ground. In general, the measurement is made with a bar with a length of two meters. The height differences on this route should not exceed 6 mm. When using a full-thickness, low-strength vinyl floor, increased requirements apply, so that the unevenness should not exceed 5 mm. In addition, you need to check if there are height differences between adjacent plates. These should be a maximum of 2 mm. Even textured tiles can cause problems, as these patterns can also affect the new floor covering.

In structured tiles and larger differences in height between adjacent plates are basically two options. Either you use vinyl with a backing layer. These products are not quite as prone to these bumps. You can also attach a soft insulation material under the floor covering. In this way, the differences in height can even better compensate. However, if you want to use full vinyl, it is necessary to apply putty to remove the bumps.

WHAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN USING UNDERFLOOR HEATING?

Many tiled floors are equipped with underfloor heating. This eliminates the unpleasant cold feeling that this material brings with it and provides comforting warmth. However, if you cover the tiles with vinyl, the question arises whether this affects the function of the underfloor heating.

For this heating system to have its full effect, it is important that the floor covering passes the heat well. Tiles have a very high thermal conductivity, so they are ideal for this task. When using vinyl, this conductivity is somewhat lower, but still sufficient. However, it should be noted that there are great differences between full vinyl and products with a carrier layer. Full vinyl is characterized by a very high thermal conductivity, so you will probably hardly notice the difference. The material of the carrier layer, on the other hand, insulates the heat significantly more. Although the thermal conductivity is usually within the legal requirements, you must expect that the effect of underfloor heating will be reduced somewhat.

Vinyl floors are also sensitive to heat. For this reason, it is important that the heat output of the floor heating can be limited. The surface temperature should be a maximum of 28 degrees. For most water-bearing underfloor heating, this is not a problem. For many electrical systems, however, this possibility does not exist. Therefore, the combination of electric underfloor heating and vinyl flooring is generally not recommended. In addition, it is important to note that the product used must be approved for use with underfloor heating. This information should be indicated on the packaging.

PREPARE THE UNDERGROUND PROPERLY

Before laying the vinyl in your home, it is important to prepare the ground. As already mentioned, it is important to compensate for larger differences in height with putty. Even with very wide joints, this can be recommended. In addition, you must make sure that all tiles are tight.

If this is not the case, you must remove the individual plates and re-gluing. To check the tiles for cavities, you can tap them with a broomstick. You will hear it immediately if a plate is not properly attached. After that a thorough cleaning is necessary. You must remove all foreign objects carefully. Even a small object can be felt when it is below the vinyl floor.

Source: Indecortrends.com