Wood Fireplaces
If you are trying to get your house ready to show and you have one or more wood burning fireplaces in your home, you may well be leaving them till last out of a desire to avoid actually have to prep them for staging. However, a well cleaned and nicely staged fireplace isn’t hard to do and can really provide an eye-catching focal point to your room.
First, gather all the materials that you’ll need. Make sure you have a large garbage can within arm’s reach. You may want to double up on liners in your garbage can so that there’s no chance of spills. When you clean your fireplace remember to lay down plastic sheeting in the area around the hearth. A good quality pair of long rubber gloves will make the job far more pleasant.
Next, shovel out the cold ashes from the fireplace and sweep it out. If you have access to a shop vacuum, you can use this to remove the remaining traces of ash from the fireplace. Remove the grate. You may want to take any iron or brass grates or andirons outside to clean to keep the mess down.
To help contain the sooty build up that you’ll be cleaning out of the chimney, you may want to line the bottom of the fireplace with newspapers so that you can just fold them up and put them in the garbage as you work, saving yourself from shovelling up more ashes as you work.
Take a wire brush to the inside of the fireplace and lower chimney. As the newspapers accumulate piles of soot and ash, fold them up and place them in the garbage. Watch as you brush the brickwork; if any of the bricks look like they’re deteriorating then be very careful with them.
The next step can be messy, if you aren’t already messy enough. What you need to do is mix up your solvent for cleaning the bricks. A very popular solution for this task is about eight tablespoons of TSP added to three litres, or just under a gallon, of hot water. Dip your wire brush into the solution and use to scrub down the inside of your fireplace. Use plain warm water and rags to rinse the solution from the fireplace when you’re done. Repeat if any stains remain.
If you have a fireplace window screen, your owner’s manual for the product should have a recommended glass product suggested for cleaning the glass. If not, then a trip to a fireplace and woodstove store should provide you with the information that you need to get an appropriate product to clean yours.
Once your fireplace is clean, take a look at it with an objective eye. If the painted surround or the mantle are discoloured at all, give them a fresh coat of paint. Clear everything off your mantle; most people keep far too much clutter on their mantlepiece. Ideally, you should have one large piece of artwork over your fireplace. If you don’t own one, see about borrowing or renting one for staging purposes. Many art galleries will rent you a painting for a reasonable fee. Place a few items on your mantle but avoid pictures of your family so that your prospective buyer can more easily picture their own family living in this room.
When your home is being shown have a fire lit in the fireplace to highlight the fact that it’s a useable feature and to create a cozy atmosphere. Don’t light a fire if it’s particularly warm out, of course, or if there will be no one home after the showing to avoid any mishaps. Don’t be afraid to ask your realtor for any ideas they might have to help you showcase your fireplace as well.
How to Build a Fire in a Fireplace : How to Stack Wood in a Fireplace
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Landmann USA 82437 8-Foot Contemporary Arch Log Rack $49.99 Sturdy and durable, Landmanns firewood racks are made from tubular steel with a black weatherproof powdercoat finish. Keeps firewood stacked and off the ground…. |
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Crystal Color Fire Sticks Anyone that’s been around one of our campfires will recall the absolutely stunning blues and greens these color sticks brought out in the flames! Each package of sticks contains one dozen sticks. Crystal Color Sticks are specially treated to create a timed release formula which extends the brilliant flames for up to ten minutes. Simply toss 2-3 sticks into the base of a well ignited fire and watch… |
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Fireplace DVD Video – Virtual Flames $5.77 Enjoy the beauty of real flames without the hassle of hauling wood, the aggravating mess of cleaning ashes, or the nasty smell of smoke.This Virtual Flames DVD is great for parties, romantic evenings and perfect for any RV with a TV! You get three unique scenes; Real Wood Burning Colonial Fireplace, Rustic Campfire and a Beach BonFire as the sun sets over the waves! When a scene is chosen, it… |
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Fireplaces & Wood Stoves [VHS] $29.95 … |
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2×4basics 90144 Firewood Rack System, Black $11.69 Blitz’s 2×4basics Firewood Rack makes it a snap to create a custom firewood rack–you just add the lumber! This easy-to-use kit requires only a powered screwdriver and a saw to construct a sturdy, attractive, and tidy firewood rack that’s up to 8 feet wide and 4 feet high.Combine Firewood Rack kits for a structure with multiple layers or sections. View larger.2×4basics Firewood RackAt a GlanceCrea… |
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Timber Tuff TMW-05 Log Rack Sides $39.99 Simply add your own 2 x 4’s to Timber Tuff™ Log Rack Sides for sturdy firewood storage.Sides can be adjusted to desired widthPowder coated side racks1 year limited/manufacturer defects warranty… |
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Sierra Nevada Log Cabin Fireplace DVD $8.39 On a beautiful winter day, deep within the Sierra Nevada mountains, there is a special feeling that you’ll have when you’re inside a rustic log cabin. Imagine for a moment the wonderful aroma of a hearty meal simmering on the stove, a comfortable sofa beside a bear skin rug and of course the crackling fireplace. With this DVD you’ll come as close as possible to experencing the relaxing pleasure… |
