Chimney Care Company's Blog

Local Seasoned Firewood: The Best Fuel for Your Fire

If you want your wood-burning fireplace to burn cleaner and more efficiently, choosing local seasoned firewood ranks high in importance. If you are not familiar with what this type of wood is, the term “seasoned” simply means dried. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), using seasoned firewood can actually improve the performance of your fireplace and chimney. Building a fire with freshly-cut, wet wood can create smoke and odor problems and promote the rapid accumulation of large creosote deposits, which are the main cause of chimney fires. Shopping for seasoned firewood can be tricky because you do not always get sufficiently dry wood. Our staff at Chimney Care Co. often suggests to our customers to find a trustworthy local firewood cutter to be sure the wood you buy has been dried or to cut their own firewood and season it themselves through proper storage. We have some tips on drying firewood we would like to share with you to help you properly dry and store your fuel.

• Cut each piece of wood to the same length. A uniform length makes the firewood easier to store. Consider the size of your firebox when determining the right length. In general, firewood should be about three inches shorter than the width or length of the firebox.
• Before you stack, split the wood. Splitting the wood in advance of stacking it improves the drying process by exposing more of the wood to the air.
• Check the moisture content. You will want to note the amount of moisture in the wood before drying it. You want the wood to reach a moisture content of 20% to be sure it is properly seasoned. To measure the exact water content in wood, you can use a moisture meter, which can be found for around $25 at a hardware store.
• Stack the wood in alternate directions. Using this stacking pattern creates better air circulation, allowing for faster drying.
• Store your firewood off the ground. To keep the bottom of your wood pile from getting wet and absorbing moisture, build a storage shed or other structure that can keep the wood at least six inches away from the ground.
• Cover the top of the pile, but leave the sides open. When building your storage shed, be sure to include a roof. A simple lean-to structure with a roof and a floor is all you will need. You can also cover your wood pile with a tarp, however, leave the sides of the pile uncovered as the tarp can trap moisture inside. You can remove the tarp when it is warm and sunny, which will speed up the drying process.
• Store your wood for at least six months to a year.[bold] The best way of knowing your wood is properly seasoned and dry enough to burn effectively is to wait at least six months before using it as firewood.

If you have any questions about local seasoned firewood, contact Chimney Care Co. today. We are happy to tell you more about the best fuel for your fire.

Maintaining Your Fireplace Safely

Fire Prevention Tips

Building a fire in the fireplace is a great way to enjoy a winter night, but many homeowners have had that experience turn into a catastrophic situation. If a fireplace and chimney are not properly used and maintained, you put yourself at risk. There are a few simple tips that any homeowner can follow to make sure that their fire remains in the fireplace.

One way to maximize your safety is to only burn dry, seasoned wood. Wet or green wood produces excess creosote, which is highly flammable.

Getting Started

Before using the fireplace for the first time each season, it is a good idea to check the batteries in the smoke detectors. This is something that all homeowners should be doing every month anyway but it is especially important during the winter season. No matter how careful a person is, accidents can still happen and it is important to be prepared. Knowing about the beginning of a fire as soon as possible is the best way to minimize the damage.

Cleaning Out Creosote

Another important thing to remember is that a fireplace and chimney must be kept clean if they are going to function properly. This is why most homeowners opt to have a licensed chimney sweep clean out their chimney at least once a year. A chimney sweep is equipped to deal with things such as creosote, a dangerous chemical compound that is often left behind after a fire. Creosote, as well as other materials often found in chimneys, is extremely flammable and has been known to start many chimney fires.

What Not to Do

When there is a fire blazing in the fireplace, it can be tempting to throw in material that has been lying around and is need of disposal. However, only material intended for burning in a fireplace should be placed into the flame. This means only treated coal and properly seasoned hardwoods. Using anything else could not only damage the structure of the fireplace, but it could start a blaze that quickly gets out of control. Be sure to keep a screen around the fireplace so that children cannot throw in toys or other unwanted materials.

Invest in a Chimney Cap

Many chimney fires start as a result of a blockage that prevents smoke and other combustible gasses from properly exiting the fireplace. This blockage may be caused by leaves that make their way into the chimney or by animals that decide to use it as their home. A chimney cap is a small, simple structure that goes on top of the chimney and prevents these things from entering the chimney. It is a small investment that makes a big difference.

Have Your Chimney Inspected

The most important thing a homeowner can do for their chimney and fireplace is to have it inspected each year by a licensed chimney inspector. This is the only way to get a good look inside of the flue and see if there are any issues on the horizon. Catching potential chimney problems in the early stages can make the repairs less costly and can also decrease the risk of danger to the home.

Having a fireplace in the home is a great perk for a homeowner who knows how to properly use and maintain it. Annual inspections are a necessity as well as keeping the flue and fireplace as clean as possible. Installing a chimney cap is a great way to make sure that all flammable material can leave the fireplace as it should.