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A crackling fire on a cool fall or winter evening sets a beautiful aesthetic in any home. Once a fire gets going, it seems to draw family members together in a hurry, as everyone gathers around and takes advantage of the warm and cozy atmosphere the wood-burning unit has created.
That is, unless the firewood is creating some unpleasant effects. Using unseasoned firewood can trigger lots of issues like excess smoke, less heat, and more creosote accumulation (which can then trigger unpleasant odors and structural issues). All in all, it’s well worth it to either season your own wood pile or take the time necessary to examine the wood you purchase, ensuring it’s adequately dried out and ready to burn.
Why do issues occur with unseasoned wood? Well, the fresher the log is, the more water it will contain, meaning your fire has to put in a lot of extra work and energy to burn out all that extra moisture. This takes time and it causes a lot of acidic water to be sent through your chimney, which isn’t good for your chimney’s health
Along with this, burning wood with lots of moisture also makes your fireplace experience less than ideal. Learn more about how to differentiate between seasoned and unseasoned wood by reading below, or you can feel free to contact our staff here at Lords Chimney with any questions. We’re always happy to help you create a more enjoyable burning season!
If you’re purchasing wood to burn, there are a few key characteristics to note before making any final decisions. First off, check the length of the wood. If it’s cut short, that’s a good sign that the person seasoning it knew what they were doing. The less mass, the less water there is, ensuring it drys out faster. Splitting the ends also speeds up this process, so look for that, too.
Noting the color and weight of the wood is a wise step, too. Fresh wood is still vibrant-looking and has a pleasant aroma. Wood that has been sitting for some time is typically faded and darker in color. Also, when you lift it will feel lighter in weight, since most of the water is evaporated. Try hitting two pieces together. If they sound hollow, they’ve been seasoned. If they make a duller, thud-like noise, they likely need more time on the wood pile.
Obviously, the most surefire way to get exactly what you want from the wood you burn is to season your own. Store it in a place that is open, yet protected, such as a wood shed with open sides and a sturdy roof, and let it sit for at least six months before putting it to use. Ensure the pieces are cut short and split on the ends to get things moving faster.
If your wood pile is ready to go, and you’re ready to put your system to use, call us in for your annual inspection. Our team is CSIA certified and ready to serve, guaranteeing you a safer and better functioning system every single year. There’s no time to lose – call today!
Did you know that using properly seasoned firewood can make a huge difference in the wellbeing of your chimney? It may not seem important which logs you throw on those flames, but the truth is that it matters a lot! Not only is it bad for your liner and brickwork, but it makes your fires less productive, too! Get the experience you deserve from your fireplace by burning only seasoned wood this holiday season.
Learn more about the importance of seasoned firewood below. Be sure to depend on Lords Chimney for all of your fireplace and chimney needs!
Unseasoned wood uses up more energy, causing your fire to smoke. When wood is originally chopped, there is a lot of moisture inside of it still, and it takes some time for the log to properly dry out. When fresh wood is used in a fireplace, the flames are forced to use up a ton of energy burning through all that extra water. This triggers smoke to build up and pour out into your living room, quickly turning a cozy evening in into a disaster.
Smoke in your home is also an issue when it comes to the health of loved ones. Toxins and fumes from your fireplace should never be inhaled, and they could trigger some serious illnesses. Along with this, smoke stinks up your home and getting that unpleasant smell out of your furniture, carpet, and curtains will definitely take up some valuable time and money.
Burning unseasoned firewood triggers a more rapid accumulation of creosote, too. Creosote forms as fires burn in your chimney and, when there’s a lot of it, you face some serious risks. Too much creosote can easily cause a chimney fire to form, meaning you’ll be spending a lot of time and money on necessary repair jobs. If you have been burning unseasoned wood, make sure you’re investing in more inspections and cleanings each year, so that you can avoid a chimney fire at all costs.
When you burn fresher wood, you’ll also experience less heat output from your fire, which isn’t good when you’re trying to save money on your monthly heating bills. While winters aren’t typically too harsh around here, that doesn’t mean we don’t experience lower temperatures. Many invest in a fireplace so that they have a better, more cost-effective way to heat their home when things get cool.
Unfortunately, unseasoned wood won’t get you that warmth you’re looking for. We believe you deserve to get the most from your fireplace… invest in seasoned wood every time, so that your system runs as efficiently as possible.
It’s easy to make sure you’re picking the best fuel for your fires this holiday season. Look for logs that are lightweight, dark and split at the ends, and that makes a hollow sound when hit together. These surefire signs indicate that the wood has been adequately dried out, and your fires will burn much better going forward.
For more information, turn to our professional and helpful staff today. The CSIA certified techs at Lords Chimney can’t wait to help you out soon!
Lighting a fire in your fireplace can be a struggle if you have little experience building them. If you find yourself settled in for a cozy evening and want to enhance the atmosphere with a warm fire, then try out the top-down method for a long-lasting, low maintenance burn.
Building a successful fire requires well-seasoned wood. Look out for the following things when picking out your fuel:
Purchasing well-seasoned wood is vital in creating an efficient fire. Fresh cut wood contains too much moisture. It uses up a lot of energy and causes your fire to smoke excessively! This means less heat for your home and more creosote build-up in your chimney. Creosote can trigger house fires and is not good for the health of your fireplace, as a whole. Ensure a strong burn by taking the time to find the best logs available. The extra effort will keep smoke away and will ensure your family and home stay as safe as possible.
There are countless benefits in building a top-down fire. The fire will never fall onto itself, less smoke is created, and re-fueling the fire isn’t necessary. All in all, it is a safer, more efficient, and highly convenient way to use your fireplace.
If your fireplace is in need of a tune-up, inspection, cleaning, repair, or more, please contact the certified experts at Lords Chimney. We can set you up with all of the appropriate tools, so your fireplace is ready to go for 2017. Start the year off right by investing in us today!
Nothing can ruin a fire more than smoking problems. Whether smoke is blowing back into the room, the fire is burning sluggishly, or a smoky odor remains hours – if not days – after the fireplace has been used, smoking problems may be to blame.
Because there are a number of different causes of smoking fireplaces, there is no one easy answer or solution. Instead, a CSIA certified chimney sweep can use tools such as a chimney inspection to identify the underlying cause of the smoking problem.
There are as many as 15 different causes of draft issues and smoking fireplaces. The following are four of the most commonly seen smoking problems.
You don’t have to live with a drafty fireplace, smoky odor, or soot-covered furnishings. Let the expert chimney technicians at Lords Chimney uncover – and repair – the cause of your smoking chimney. Contact us today to help resolve your smoking chimney and enjoy your fireplace this winter!