It may seem logical and convenient to store freshly cut firewood in your fireplace, near it, or on the back patio of your Aurora home, but can you store firewood in or near your home? When planning firewood storage for winter, you should always store your freshly cut wood far away from your property. Read on to learn about best practices on firewood storage. Then, if you have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to contact the BrickKicker!
Can I Store Firewood in My Home?
As we mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t store firewood in or right outside your Naperville home. That includes your garage. This is because firewood attracts pests. So, where should you store your firewood? We recommend storing your firewood in a dry area about 20 feet away from your house with great airflow. To ensure ventilation in your outdoor firewood stack, stack your logs in rows that are no more than 4 feet high, with the bark-side of the split wood pointed upwards.
How Long Can I Store Firewood?
When you cut wood, each log needs time to ripen before you should use it in your fireplace. Fresh logs are known as “green wood,” which doesn’t burn well, gunks up your chimney, and increases carbon monoxide build-up. One of the reasons you should store your logs outside is to create the right conditions for your logs to ripen. Proper firewood storage for winter involves keeping your wood stacked outside for 6 months, in the summer and fall months leading up to winter.
As you cure your firewood, make sure to purchase a firewood cover in order to protect your logs from the elements. Only use it during inclement weather, making sure to remove it, so you can maintain an open space with adequate airflow around your firewood stack. If kept dry and properly stacked, firewood can last up to 10 years.
What Should I Do If My Firewood Stack Develops Termites?
If you’ve gone a few years without covering your firewood stack, it’s likely accumulated a lot of moisture and rot. This is a perfect breeding ground for termites, which can travel into your house, and almost definitely will if you bring infested wood into your fireplace.
To avoid this scenario, inspect your wood for termites. If you see little holes in your wood, tunnels on the surface of the wood, and even worker termites, don’t bring it inside. Most of these holes run in clusters, so if you see an isolated hole or two, it may not be cause for concern.
If you notice an infestation, check your yard and house for other signs of infestation and take care of the problem ASAP as it can develop quickly. On a side note, the BrickKicker is more than equipped to detect signs of termite infestation in your Lisle home.
Have Questions About Proper Firewood Storage for Winter?
Now that you know where you should store your firewood and whether you can store firewood in your home, if you have further questions, call the BrickKicker in Chicagoland at (800) 821-1820. If you find yourself in need of a home inspection for any reason, be sure to explore our services, and if you’re curious about other home care topics, check out our blog for helpful reads about how to get rid of mold and how to clean gutters and downspouts.
