How to Extend the Life of Your Wood Stove
Modern wood stoves are stylish and an efficient heat source for the home. One common worry is how spare parts are hard to come by. That’s why maintenance is so crucial and we have a few tips for homeowners who wish to enjoy their modern wood stove for a long time.
Keep that chimney clean
To ensure that your stove doesn’t become a safety hazard in your home, keeping the stovepipe clean should be your primary concern. Some people have been known to burn out creosote with an overly hot fire, which is a big no-no. Here’s why, it is extremely dangerous to operate a wood stove at excessive temperatures above the range suggested by the manufacturer. Experts suggest that for creosote to burn out of a stovepipe, the temperature would have to be exceedingly high, to the point that it could start a chimney fire.
Regular maintenance is key
Make sure to schedule regular maintenance checks with one of our professional chimney sweeps at least once a year.
A typical chimney checklist looks for things like:
- Cracks.
- Separations.
- Signs of damage.
- Door gasket issues.
- Chimney flue or stovepipe obstructions.
If your wood stove is non-enameled, a technician will often add a coat of stove paint, as needed, to give the appliance a fresh, new look.
How are you burning your stove?
There is nothing wrong with thoroughly enjoying your wood stove, however, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. It is not advised to keep a lengthy, low burning fire on a regular basis. If a fire isn’t hot enough, combustion will be incomplete, and there will be a lot of creosote deposited in the stovepipe or chimney.
One way you can check this is by going outside and check the appearance of the smoke exiting the wood stove. If smoke is billowing out, it’s an indication that either the stove is not operating properly or the firewood contains too much moisture. Because the stove should be well-sealed, a smoky fire may not be as obvious inside. It’s important to burn only seasoned firewood in your wood stove.
Give us a call today to book your off-season fireplace maintenance or upgrade your existing wood burning stove to a more modern, stylish model that fits the current aesthetic of your home.
