Is Your Firepit Ready for the Cold Season?

Cold season is fast approaching. And as early as today, some of us are already feeling the chilly weather. Perhaps, this is the perfect time to do some maintenance checkup and break-in your outdoor fireplace/fire pit for the coming days ahead.

So before getting all too excited about spending the nightfall in your patio, burning wood while downing a six-pack, here are some things you might want to consider doing to make sure your fire pit and/or outdoor fireplace is ready to be of service for the cold season.

‘tis the time of the year to ready your patio fire pit for the coming cold days

1. Clean off burnt residue from the fire pit – It is a given that fire pits (virtually all fire places) are prone to being dirty and/or blackened due to burnt materials and residue. That’s why it is important to clean it first before setting up your fuel and tinder. Make sure to scrape off creosote –a burnt wood byproduct that can produce burst of flame when re-ignited by fire – and other byproduct build-up that may cause potential fire risks. If you happen to use the pit for outdoor cooking as well, then it is advisable to include the cooking peripherals as well in your pit-cleaning checklist.

2. Check the fire pit for damages – A poorly-maintained fire place or a fire pit imposes potential dangers that could result to serious damages and accidents. Ergo, it is a-must to inspect the entire pit for damages such as cracked mortar and loose or gapped brick/stone for repair. Cement, lime putty or grout can be used to fix these imperfections.

This also goes with portable fire pits; metal-made pits are prone to rusting and corrosion, so it should be checked for deterioration. To repair this, you may use steel brush to remove the flakey stain patch. If some of the parts have been significantly disintegrated, you can patch this with a thin metal sheet and weld it to cover the rusting part.

3. Move your patio furniture – Just to be sure, move some of your patio furniture that may deemed prone to burnt damages in case a sudden spark of tinder lands on it. Instead, use wood chairs and tables to further avoid such accidents. To make it even safer for your precious outdoor furnishings, it is better to shield them from ashes and fumes using a trusty patio furniture cover.

4. Stockpile some fuel – And by fuel, we’re not just talking about gas or kerosene. It is basically the materials that you’ll be using to create and maintain fire. And that includes wood, coal, newspapers, briquette and of course, lighter and/or matches to start one. For those who are using wood, it is important that you should “season” the wood (dried out for 6 days). Go for hardwood like maple, hickory, oak and cherry instead of softwood, as the latter doesn’t last long.

5. Set up a safe spot for children and pets – Because your kids and beloved furry pets want to enjoy the outdoor warmth as well. That being said, you may set up a safe area –ideally a significant feet away from the fireplace – for them to stay. Place a nice, comfy outdoor mattress and a pet throw will do the job in keeping them warm and cozy.

6. Lastly, don’t forget the s’mores essentials – You’re sitting in front of the fireplace, right? So, what are you waiting for? Prepare the s’mores table and start the fire… because an outdoor fireplace wouldn’t be complete without enjoying a stick of roasted marshmallows and a piece of chocolate sandwiched between a pair of biscuits. Heck, might as well get the hotdogs too!

Protect Your Double Purpose Furniture

For anyone looking for furniture to complete your newly renovated house, why not consider placing a daybed by the window with a view?  It does not necessarily need to be placed in a bedroom as it can also be used in a patio that faces the backyard.  Daybeds are versatile pieces of furniture that can either be put in a room if there is not enough space for a sitting area, in a foyer to serve as a chaise lounge where guests can relax, or in the patio as a statement piece of furniture which can add a different look to the space.  The kind of material for the daybed can even be selected from among a wide selection.  It can be made of wood for that traditional look or of synthetic materials.  Metal and steel are also other materials popularly used for daybeds. 

Image source: decorationchannel.com

Things Needed to Keep a Daybed Looking New

 

A daybed at home has to be taken care of properly so that it won’t look old easily, especially if it is used to double as a chaise lounge.  It is best to invest in several daybed covers so that they can be changed every so often.  This would also help protect the mattress from gathering too much dust.  Daybed covers made of cotton is a great choice so that anyone would not have a hard time with laundering them.  For daybeds that are placed on the patio, patio furniture covers can be used as analternative.  The best part about using this kind of cover is that there is no need to laundry it to keep it clean.  Just a few swipes of a rug or even a sweep of the vacuum can get it cleaned in no time.

Double Use Furniture

 

Daybeds are pieces of furniture that are nice to have in limited spaces.  It would be perfect in studio flatas, where the bedroom is also the receiving area.  Daybeds are perfect for these small living spaces because it can double as a lounge chair when guests come over and as a bed where they can sleep at night.   Patios are also great places where this furniture can be placed, as this is primarily a place for relaxation. Just place the patio furniture covers to help protect the mattress when it is not in use.

It is also a space saver because it is not that large usually.  The common size for this piece of furniture is the same as a twin size bed which is about 38”x75”.   Furniture pieces that are double purpose are really economical and are great to have.

Where to Get the Covers

 

There are many stores now that sell these, so that looking for one won’t be too difficult at all.  Also, with the many designs available for covers, an instant makeover for the home can be done in a snap.  One can change the look and feel of the place where the furniture is placed by simply replacing the covers with a freshly laundered one or by using a different colored one.  We at Formosa Covers can supply your needs for furniture covers.  We organize our products depending on what kind is needed, making shopping for these covers easy and convenient.