The Importance of Exterior and Interior Spark Arrestors

A wood-burning fireplace is a pleasant addition to any home, and it’s a great gathering place for family and friends in winter. Safety should always be the chief consideration, however. Potential dangers are associated with fires from wood fireplaces and wood stoves. Precautions are needed. Among the safety steps is using interior and exterior spark arrestors. One stray ember is all it could take to start a hazardous house fire.

What is a Spark Arrestor?

A spark arrestor is a barrier that catches sparks and prevents them from escaping and potentially causing combustible materials to catch fire outside of the fireplace or chimney. Spark arrestors are made with either galvanized steel or stainless steel. They have the capability of withstanding the high temperatures created by fires and hot embers. Interior and exterior spark guards come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, to fit all budgets, types of décor, and personal tastes.

Interior Spark Arrestor

An interior spark arrestor is also known as a “hearth screen.” A screen for a fireplace may be a metal screen or curtain or a set of sliding glass doors. It’s not unusual for homeowners to shop for a spark arrestor with aesthetics in mind. Some spark arrestors are purely functional and others are designed to add to the beauty of a fireplace. It’s important to be sure an arrestor is the correct size and has the right fit, to prevent embers from escaping the fireplace.

There are three benefits of interior spark arrestors:

·      A correctly fitted hearth screen makes your family and your home safer by keeping dangerous materials inside the fireplace. The screen stops embers and sparks from potentially flying into the room, igniting combustible materials.

·      An interior spark arrestor also protects children and curious pets from falling into or getting too close to a fire. The hearth screen could make sure a fire isn’t disturbed, whether accidentally or by a child or pet. It’s important that fireplace materials not be disturbed, even when the fire has gone cold.

·      As mentioned, a hearth screen can have tremendous aesthetic value. Many intricate designs are available, as well as styles that will suit any décor. A spark arrestor can be used to make a fireplace look attractive and inviting, even without a fire glowing inside.

Exterior Spark Arrestor

Exterior spark arrestors are usually part of a chimney cap or rain cover at the top of the chimney. The spark arrestor is wire mesh that allows combustion gases to exit the chimney, but it does a good job of preventing sparks and embers from escaping. A hot ember can land on combustible materials on the roof or near the home, starting a dangerous house fire.

Exterior spark arrestors also serve to keep animals out of the chimney. This is also a safety benefit, since various animals can cause blockage and even get stuck in the chimney.

Contact Hudson Valley Chimney

Another essential step in fireplace and wood stove safety is keeping up with recommended cleaning and maintenance. Contact our expert chimney sweeps today for all of your fireplace and chimney needs, including installation of interior and exterior spark arrestors.