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What happens when your gas fire is serviced?

Getting your gas fire serviced is an essential part of its annual maintenance, not only to keep it working correctly, but to ensure it’s operating safely too. A gas fire service isn’t the same as a boiler service or gas safety check, and it should happen once a year by a qualified professional who can adhere to manufacturer guidelines. In fact, it’s a legal requirement!

Whilst it initially seems like an extra expense, it’s nothing compared to the potential safety implications, or the cost of leaving a fault that could have been found and fixed before it caused further damage.

So what happens when your gas fire is serviced?

A visual inspection of the gas fire

A gas fire engineer will know what they’re looking for when it comes to gas fires, so their first port of call will be a visual inspection of the appliance externally. This is followed by turning the fire on, so that the engineer can spot any faults.

An inspection of the components

Next, the external gas fire casing will be removed to reveal the parts beneath, such as the burners and injectors. The engineer will be looking to see that these are all intact and operational.

A thorough clean

In order to ensure the gas fire continues to work effectively and safely, and that there are no defects hiding under dirt, the internal parts are removed, cleaned, and placed back where they were.

A flue check and analyser test

The flue is vital for carrying the waste gas up and out of your home, so the engineer will do a thorough check for blockages, and to make sure the flue seals are doing their job. An analyser test on the gas valve will then tell the engineer whether or not the burner burns efficiently.

A gas tightness test

Gas systems should be leak free, so the engineer will check to make sure the whole system is sealed, and therefore safe to use. After that, the engineer can replace the casing onto the fire, and complete his written report.

Your gas fire servicing with Wakefords

We’re proud here at Wakefords to put our customer’s minds at rest with annual gas fire servicing, as well as gas fire checks and repairs. This essential maintenance should be carried out by a trustworthy team, which is what we’re able to offer here at our Surrey fire and fireplace showroom.

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Why do you need to keep your chimney swept?

Despite it not being the most glamorous part of owning a stove or open fire, getting your chimney swept is essential. The good news is that you don’t need to do it yourself; the chimney sweep is far from being a person of the past, and there are still many qualified professionals who can sweep your chimney for you. But why do you need to keep your chimney swept?

In this article, we’ll explain why it’s important to get your chimney swept, how often it needs to be done, and what would happen if you continued to use an unswept chimney.

Do all chimneys need to be swept?

Regardless of the shape, size and age of your chimney, and no matter what it’s made of, if you use it to burn fuel, it needs to be swept. Your chimney facilitates the escape of the byproducts of burning wood, coal, oil and gas, so it’s vital that it continues to do that safely.

Why should I get my chimney swept?

Through use, chimneys can be home to a build up of soot and creosote from the burning of fuel below, as well as debris that drops in from above, such as birds nests. This compromises the passage of combustion gases up to the fresh air above, leaving it no choice but to drift back down.

Sweeping the chimney clears and cleans the chimney and flue, ensuring that smoke and gas can get away safely.

How often does a chimney need sweeping?

The frequency of a visit from the chimney sweep will depend on what you’re burning. These are the general rules of thumb:

  • Burning wood or bituminous house coal – at least twice a year
  • Smokeless fuels – once a year

It’s best to make sure that your chimney is swept before the winter season, and when the chimney hasn’t been used for a long period of time.

What happens if I don’t sweep my chimney?

There are huge safety concerns when it comes to continuing to use an unswept chimney, and the seriousness should not be downplayed.

For one thing, the accumulation of soot and debris prevents the evacuation of dangerous fumes – and these can then make their way into your home causing potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

Not only this, but this soot is still combustible, which could lead to a catastrophic chimney fire.

Choose your next fire, fireplace or stove

Having a fuel-burning appliance or an open fire in your home is a responsibility, but it’s also hugely satisfying. If you’d like help and advice on choosing the right fire, fireplace or stove for you, we’re here to help at Wakefords. Our experienced team can talk you through your options, ensuring you’re ready for comfort and warmth as we approach winter.

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How to Clean and Maintain Your Fireplace, Stove, or Log Burner

Fireplaces, stoves, and log burners are a great addition to any home. They provide a focus to your room as well as warmth and ambience during the colder months. However, as with any heating appliance, it’s important to keep it clean and well-maintained so it operates safely and efficiently. Therefore, we’ve pulled together some tips for cleaning and maintaining your fireplace, stove, or log burner.

Clean the Interior

First of all, if you have a wood-burning stove or a fireplace, it’s important to clean the ash out on a regular basis. A build-up of ash can cause your fireplace or stove to operate less efficiently which can reduce the amount of heat it produces. To clean out the ash, make sure it is completely cool. You should clean the interior regularly with a brush or vacuum designed for that purpose. This will help prevent the build-up of creosote, a flammable substance that can cause chimney fires.

Check the Chimney

Your chimney should be inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep at least once a year. A dirty or clogged chimney can lead to a dangerous build-up of creosote which can cause a chimney fire. During the inspection, the chimney sweep will look for any damage to the chimney such as cracks or missing mortar which could allow smoke and gasses to escape into your home.

Inspect the Flue

The flue is the opening at the top of the chimney that allows smoke and gases to escape. It’s important to make sure it is clear of obstructions such as leaves, bird’s nests, or debris. If the flue is clogged, smoke and gasses can back up into your home which can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Check the Seals

The seals on your stove or fireplace help to prevent smoke and gasses from escaping into your home. It’s important to regularly check the seals to ensure they’re in good condition and replace them if necessary. If the seals are damaged or worn, smoke and gasses can escape into your home which reduces the efficiency of the fireplace and increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

By following these simple tips and investing in regular cleaning and maintenance, you can enjoy the warmth and ambience of your fireplace, stove, or log burner for years to come.

If you’re looking for a fireplace or stove for your home, contact us now to arrange a visit to our showroom where we can help you choose the perfect heating solution for you.

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Which Fireplace Is Best For The Environment

Here is All You Need to Know About Different Types of Fireplaces!

There are no doubts over the fact that the fireplace is an integral part of the living room. However, with so many types of options in the market, one gets baffled when the decision is to be made. And here is our suggestion; when income allows, your topmost priority should be “going green.” Going green is the best choice you can make for yourself and for the greater good of the planet. So let’s dig in the options for the fireplace before we conclude which type is the best, keeping the environment in mind.

Fireplace and Their Impact on The Environment

We have a list of fireplaces that you can choose from:

1. Gas Fireplace

Gas fireplace has been an increasing choice of the users due to its efficiency, effectiveness, and the fact that it keeps the area cleaner. However, it should be kept in mind that it’s not environment-friendly, and in fact, gas is a non-renewable resource that we should be working to conserve and not the opposite. Furthermore, natural gas is hazardous to health.

2. Wood-Burning Fireplace

While this might sound like a not-so-good option, the recent advancements have enabled the wood-burning fireplace to be somewhat better for the environment. This means you can be considerate about the environment while having warmth and earthy aesthetic vibes for the living room.

3. Electric Fireplace

With so many options of the fireplace, one that truly and fully checks all the points in the list for the “fireplace best for the environment” has to be an electric fireplace. Not only are the electric fireplaces efficient, but they are also cost-saving and ensure that there is no burden being put on the environment. The best part about the electric fireplace is that it serves its purpose too. It keeps the room warm and additionally provides other benefits. An electric fireplace can be easily installed, is easy to maintain, doesn’t require much cleaning, and above all, is aesthetically pleasing. All in all, an electric fireplace makes the best choice in all categories while being the obvious choice when it comes to the environment. Also, if your electricity is powered via solar panels, the electric fireplace will be more eco-friendly.

4. Pellet Stove Fireplace
Pellet fireplace is another choice when it comes to selecting a fireplace that is best for the environment. They are efficient and have low emissions. Pellet is made of a variety of biomass and organic material that are in abundance and is cost-effective too.

In A Nutshell

Which fireplace is best for the environment depends entirely on your preferences and needs. Just because you have a gas fireplace doesn’t mean you can play your part; the usage matters too. Also, you can always upgrade to a better, energy-saving, and resource-conserving option that is best for the environment as well.
Wakeford Fireplace

If you are not sure regarding which type of fireplace you should get your hands on or which will work best in favour of the environment, then we, Wakeford Fireplace, have got you covered!

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What Are The Essential Fireplace Tools You Need? An Ultimate Guide to Safety!

Fireplaces provide your living area with a cosy vibe and relaxing ambience. However, there is a high risk associated with fireplace handling. But that’s not you to worry about since we have got you covered in this blog.

Here, we are talking about the essential fireplace tools to keep the situation “under control.”

And that’s just not it. There is another reason why you should have fireplace tools at your place; “wink, wink” it’s for decoration purposes!

1. Tongs

Fireplace tongs are not an option to have but a necessity. They assist the moving the burning logs to control the fire. The length of the tongue is one thing you should be considerate about. The reason is, if your burning logs are large enough, then a small fireplace tong will be of no use. The only way to get them moved is by going to the fireplace area. And we don’t want that, do we? Hence, making sure that you have the right length of fireplace tong is crucial.

2. Shovel

You might have noticed an ash layer in your fireplace area. The thing about ash is that you don’t have to get it removed fully. However, excess ash is required for you to get rid of as it prevents the air from reaching the wood, which is needed for it to burn.

You will need a shovel to remove the fireplace ash so that it’s lit nicely and evenly. Moreover, fireplace shovels are a great piece of decoration; old, unique, or contemporary shovels add an aesthetic vibe to your living area.

3. Fireplace Brush

Fireplaces are an integral part of your living. You surely don’t want the ashes and the dust to pile up there, right?

And that’s what the primary purpose of the fireplace brushes is. But, here, not any random brush will do. The brush with the right shape and width is needed to reach the corners and holes to get the dirt removed properly.

4. Fireplace Poker

There is a reason why fireplace poker is called a must-have. It is made of fireproof material that helps in pushing and moving the burning logs. In simpler words, it helps you make the smaller fire bigger and the bigger fire smaller.

5. Ash Bucket

Now you might be pondering that why a bucket is needed to stoke fire? Well, as we talked about earlier, we need to get rid of ash on an almost daily basis for the logs to be lit. The removing of the ash can be one hell of a task, and hence as buckets ease the things out for you.

Just for your convenience and better as management, investing in an ash bucket won’t hurt.

Get In Touch

To all the people living in Surrey, Wakeford fireplaces have been catering to your stove, fire, and fireplace needs for more than 3 decades now. And the best thing is that we are the best in the business.

If you are planning to get an electric, gas, or wooden fireplace installed, then look no further. We are the guide you need.