First Fire

[Catrin]

It was very relaxing, which I needed badly. A log did, however, roll up against the back of the fireplace and burned off some of the black paint It is very noticeable - I've no experience at all with fireplaces - does it make sense to repaint that section or is it so likely to happen again that it would be a waste of time and money?

[bmccasland]

Seems to me that in time burning logs will take care of the paint loss - turning the back black with soot anyway. So why bother? And if you're going to paint, you'll have to scrub the soot off and need to paint in a "well ventilated space," which sounds like a springtime/summer job anyway. So put it off until spring and see how it looks.

Or is your house going to be in an upcoming issue of Better Homes & Gardens or Martha Stewart Living?

[Catrin]

Seems to me that in time burning logs will take care of the paint loss - turning the back black with soot anyway. So why bother? And if you're going to paint, you'll have to scrub the soot off and need to paint in a "well ventilated space," which sounds like a springtime/summer job anyway. So put it off until spring and see how it looks.

Or is your house going to be in an upcoming issue of Better Homes & Gardens or Martha Stewart Living?

I didn't think about soot taking care of the problem - I've not lived with a fireplace before. I knew that someone here would be able to answer my question

They would likely highlight my apartment as an example of what NOT to do