Ash Dump Cleaning: Trust Hansen & Sons To Safely Remove Your Wood Ash
When it comes to maintaining a cleaner and safer fireplace for your home in Madison (or anywhere else nearby), Hansen & Sons is your trusted partner for professional ash dump cleaning and more.
Our expert team understands the importance of properly handling and disposing wood ash to ensure the safety and efficiency of your fireplace. We also ensure your firebox and hearth are handled with care all throughout our cleaning process. We offer this in addition to our chimney sweeping services to ensure you get the best fireside experience possible with every passing year.
Call with questions or book online with us now.
How Do You Clean Out an Ash Dump in a Fireplace?
Let’s talk DIY ash removal and ash dump cleaning. It is possible for a homeowner to clean this area out themselves, should they have the right tools, supplies, and safety gear.
So, how do you clean out your ash dump? In one word…carefully! Cleaning out an ash dump in a fireplace is a task that should be done with care and caution to ensure safe results and a minimized risk of fires occurring.
Let’s start with the materials you’ll need: a metal ash bucket with a lid, a metal fireplace shovel, a stiff-bristled brush, a dust mask, thick gloves, a flashlight, and a small broom and dustpan.
Once your materials are gathered, here’s our recommended step-by-step process.
- Let Your Fire Cool: This is a vital first step – wait at least 24 hours after your last fire before scooping anything to ensure the fire is completely out and the ashes are cold. Hidden embers can stay live for quite a while!
- Protect Yourself: Wear a dust mask and gloves to protect yourself from inhaling ash particles and to keep your hands clean.
Access the Ash Dump: Ash dumps are usually located on the floor of the fireplace or in a back wall. Open the ash dump door carefully, then use a flashlight to inspect the interior and ensure it is safe to proceed. - Remove the Ashes: Use a fireplace shovel to scoop out the ashes from the ash dump, placing them into a sturdy metal bucket as you go. Be gentle to avoid stirring up too much dust.
- Clean the Ash Dump: Once most of the ashes are removed, use a stiff-bristled brush to clean out any remaining ashes or debris from the ash dump compartment. Sweep up any fallen ashes around the fireplace with a small broom and dustpan.
- Store the Ashes: Now, don’t just dump the ashes out, as this could invite a fire hazard. Rather, store the ashes in the metal bucket with the lid tightly closed, and leave it outside (on a non-flammable surface) for a few days to ensure everything is dead and cooled.
- Dispose of the Ashes: Once the ashes are confirmed to be cold, you can dispose of them. Ashes can serve lots of purposes, but are often best used in gardens as a soil amendment – but check if your plants can benefit from it! Alternatively, dispose of them in accordance with your local waste disposal guidelines.
It’s a bit of a process, and it’s one you want to make sure to get right, not only to keep yourself and your home protected, but because any left-behind ash could invite moisture – and damage – in the off season.
Rather leave it to the pros? No problem. Our team is here to help – simply give us a call or book online now.
Should I Scoop Out My Ash Pit After Every Fire?
No, you don’t need to scoop your ash pit clean after every fire. In fact, you’d be wise not to… Keeping a small layer of ash in the fireplace can be beneficial for a few different reasons:
- A layer of ash insulates the fireplace floor and helps to maintain a hotter fire. It can also make it easier to rekindle the fire from the embers.
- Ash provides a protective layer for the fireplace floor, which can help prevent damage from high heat.
- A small amount of ash can help in the ignition of new fires by providing a bed for kindling and embers.
That said, there are times when it’s appropriate to leave that small layer of ash behind and times where everything should, in fact, be cleared out.
If you’re using your fireplace more regularly, like during the cooler fall and winter months, you can clean out the ash pit less frequently – namely when the ash layer reaches about one-inch thick. That said, if you only use your fireplace occasionally throughout the year, it may be wise to clean it more thoroughly after each use.
In addition, when your burn season has ended and you won’t be using your fireplace for months at a time, clear out the ash pile completely to avoid damage or drawing in moisture.
Can I Reuse My Fireplace Ash?
Now, one option for ash removal is to let it cool completely, then dump it into the trash bin. That said, many don’t realize that fireplace ash can actually serve quite a few functional purposes around the home and yard, as well:
- Soil Booster: Have a green thumb? Ashes can raise the pH level of acidic soil, making it more alkaline. This is beneficial for plants that prefer less acidic soil, such as tomatoes, asparagus, and various flower species. That said, be sure to do your research, use it sparingly, and test soil pH as you go to avoid over-alkalizing.
- Compost Enhancer: Add wood ash to your compost pile to increase its potassium content. This nutrient supports flower and fruit development. Like with your soil, though, use it in moderation to maintain balanced compost pH levels.
- Pest Deterrent: It may seem odd that crumbly fireplace ash could be used as a wall to keep out pests, but it’s really hard for slimy slugs and snails to get past this dry barrier. It’s a surefire way to keep them off your plants.
- Lawn Fertilizer: Try sprinkling ash lightly over your lawn to provide potassium and trace minerals. Ensure even distribution to prevent concentrated patches that can damage grass, though.
- De-icing Agent: As you clear out ash in the cold, burning season, keep a bucket by your pathways and driveway to provide some traction when things get icy. Ash is a natural, eco-friendly alternative to salt – and won’t harm plants or concrete.
- Odor Neutralizer: Place a small container of ash in your refrigerator to absorb odors. Ash’s alkaline properties neutralize acidic smells effectively. You can also sprinkle ash in areas where pets or livestock frequent to help neutralize the odors they create.
- Stain Remover: Make a paste of ash and water to clean stains on glass, metal, and some plastics. It works similarly to baking soda…but be cautious with delicate surfaces.
- Cleaning Sooty Glass Doors: Are your fireplace doors in need of some TLC? Dip a damp sponge in ash and use it to scrub them down. The ash acts as a mild abrasive, helping to remove soot buildup.
- Metal Polish: Mix ash with a small amount of water to create a paste for polishing silver, chrome, and other metals. Rub gently with a cloth to restore shine.
- Homemade Soap: Back in the day, they used to combine ash with animal fats to make lye soap. This traditional method requires precise handling and caution as lye can be caustic…but if you’re feeling crafty, it could be a fun project.
- Fire Extinguisher: Keep a bucket of ash near the fireplace. It can smother small fires by cutting off their oxygen supply.
- Hen & Chicken Bath: Hens and chickens can take a dust bath in your ash as a way to help keep pests and harmful bugs at bay.
Now, take note: When using fireplace ash, it’s important to ensure that it comes from untreated, natural wood to avoid harmful chemicals getting into soil or hurting pets or family members. That said, by incorporating these practical applications, you can make the most of your seasoned-wood-turned-fireplace-ash and contribute to a more sustainable home environment.
Start the Next Burning Season With a Clean Slate – Call Our Pros Today!
At Hansen & Sons, we take pride in serving the Madison community with top-notch fireplace maintenance and chimney sweep solutions. Our skilled professionals are dedicated to providing thorough and safe ash removal, allowing you to focus on what matters most – enjoying the cozy ambiance of your fireplace.
Contact us today to schedule your chimney sweep and ash dump cleaning, and experience the peace of mind that comes with trusting Hansen & Sons for all your fireplace needs.
Whatever chimney services you need, our pros will always do the job right – and chimney sweeping is no exception. You’ll be glad you scheduled with us!