Wood Burning Stove Safety

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

As temperatures begin to drop, many Fairfield County homeowners will turn to their wood-burning stoves as a home heating solution.  Wood-burning stoves are a popular alternative to gas and electric heating, especially in rural areas, due to readily available fuel sourcing.

While burning wood is relatively safe, there are a few things that increase the risk for a house fire occurring. Make sure to follow the tips below to avoid any unwanted fires in your home.

Burn properly dried wood

You should only burn hardwoods that have been adequately dried out.  Split wood typically takes twelve months to dry to a point that is ready for burning in a stove.  By using only dry wood, you will ensure that your stove burns at the right temperature.

Clean routinely

There are a few areas that can be easily kept clean by any homeowner.  First, empty any ash from the bottom of the stove and store in any metal container that will not catch fire itself.  Store this container outside, and a few feet from the side of the house, where it could ignite.  

Monitor creosote deposits

Creosote is a very flammable compound that can build up inside your stove and chimney.  Creosote is produced from fires that burn at a lower temperature, so not all of the flammable material is sufficiently burned in the fire.  Creosote can form in three ways, two of which are low risk.  It can form in a semi-fluid that will eventually flow back into the stove, where it will be burned off.  It can form as thin flakes that can be removed by the homeowner with light brushing, either from within the stove, or from the roof.  The third creosote formation will be in the form of a thick tar that will need to be removed by a professional.

It is important to contact a fire damage restoration professional as soon as the fire is over to help limit and remediate the damage. SERVPRO of Stamford has over 30 years of experience working with people who have had fire damage to their property.  If you have any type of fire or smoke damage, call us immediately at 203.324.1642.