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January 11, 2011
With the horrific state of the economy many families are looking to cut corners wherever they can. Energy is costing more and more, persuading many families to install wood stoves. Although this form of warmth is cheaper than a traditional heater or fireplace, it is not any safer. Chimney fires and wood stove fires often occur as the result of preventable circumstances. Don’t let this happen to you and your loved ones. Wood stove safety is easy once you learn the essentials.
Wood Stove Installation
The first step of proper wood stove safety is choosing what type of wood stove will work best for your home and your family. Remaining conscious of the different options available will go a long way towards successful wood stove installation. Check that the stove you decided to purchase is approved by proper authorities, while also double checking for cracks or broken parts. Be sure to only purchase a wood stove that can properly fit in your home and the room where it will be heating. Always follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Wood Stove Safety
Maintaining the quality of your wood stove is important to ensure the continued safety of your family. Here are important things to note when completing the initial setup of your wood stove:
- The length of the stove pipe should be no less than 10ft
- The stove pipe must not pass through a door, a floor, closet or any other enclosed space to help prevent accidental fires
- The pipe of the wood stove should be produced of 22 or 24 gauge metal
- If your connecting the wood stove to a existing chimney, inspect your chimney at the time of installation
- The stove pipe CAN NOT extend into the chimney flue lining
- Need at least 18 inches between the top of the stove pipe and the ceiling
Wood Stove Repair
Lastly, completing a wood stove repair will help defend your family against any threat of fire. Check your stove from top to bottom for cracks or holes of any kind. If you do find a crack or hole be sure to use fire retardant liquid based sealant to properly fix the issue. Cleaning your wood stove frequently will help prevent many repairs before they happen.
Also check to make sure the pipes, chimney and exhaust is clear of debris. To remove debris and make sure your stove is working properly; turn off your stove for 2 hours. This will ensure its cool enough to work with and can help you complete the job more effectively. Put on gloves and dig down deep for deposits of creosote or other buildups of unwanted waste. Remove and dispose of the waste, clearing more room for smoke to dispel from the fire correctly.
June 16, 2010
Scheduling an inspection and cleaning of your wood stove or wood burning insert is an important task. Not only are you protecting your home and family, but you’re also protecting the investment that was made in your appliance by ensuring that it lasts.
A qualified technician will come to your home at your convenience to inspect the appliance and keep it in peak working order. Multiple inspections are done and a thorough cleaning is looked after, restoring the strength, efficiency and attractiveness of your wood stove or wood insert.
The wood burning appliance will be cleaned as the inspection continues, with various parts and messy build up capturing attention. The firebox will be vacuumed out and excess ash removed. Your wood stove exterior will be cleaned to a shine and the glass doors buffed up using a specially formulated product. Any creosote that has built up on the interior of your stove will be removed and the system will be almost like new again.
Inspections are done to ensure that the unit is operating well, with maximum efficiency and minimum emissions.
The intricate elements are inspected. From gaskets and sealers, damper control assemblies and air exchange tubes to secondary burn chambers, the complicated and technical parts are looked at closely. Baffles are also inspected and if your unit has blowers, they are looked as well.
Then the technician turns to the other parts of your wood stove. Any handles, brackets, bolts and screws are checked for rust and proper function. The firebrick and grates are inspected, as are any soapstone components if they are included in your model. The metal and iron on the wood stove is looked over for signs of warping.
Clearances around the unit are double checked and the stones and bricks surrounding it are looked over for any wear. Your wood supply will be inspected for quality and storage set up.
During the service call, you have plenty of opportunity to talk to the technician about proper operation of the unit and any problems or questions you may have. Their knowledge and expertise are extremely helpful and you will be informed in detail about any necessary repairs.
Having this service done by a company you can trust is important. Fireplace Village not only has a vast selection of the top wood stove brands in the business, they offer impeccable service as well. Ask about their full service and qualified staff to have your maintenance needs looked after by the pros.
February 15, 2010
To build a safe, efficient and down right beautiful fire every time, homeowners need to learn how to start a fire in a wood stove. These short, simple steps will provide the optimum heat, efficiency and comfort for your home.
Start with dry hardwood for fuel. You should buy firewood that has had a chance to dry for nine months before burning, as wet, soft wood makes for a smoky, inefficient fire. Also, green wood causes plenty of sparks and burns cooler than seasoned wood. Make sure to dry all firewood from moisture caused by elements such as snow and rain.
Gather some clean, dry newsprint paper to start the fire in a wood burning stove. Don’t use glossy, coated paper or anything with adhesives on it (like envelopes). Crumple the newspaper into balls and place at the bottom of your stove. Stack kindling (small, thin wood pieces) on top of the paper in a teepee or pyramid shape. This provides the proper airflow to get the fire burning well.
Light the paper in a few spots and let the kindling catch fire. Add kindling when necessary until all is burning well. Only use paper at the beginning of the fire, as it creates a lot of floating ash when added on top of the kindling.
Keep the door to your stove open. Also make sure the air control is completely open before starting the fire. This allows air flow through the wood stove, feeding the fire with needed oxygen. Don’t keep the door wide open enough for sparks to escape and cause damage to the flooring or surrounding area. Wait until the smoke is disappearing up the stovepipe before completely closing the door. This indicates good combustion is present.
Once kindling is burning well, add larger and larger logs until you have a base of fuel that will continue to burn for the desired length of time. If you throw a large log onto a small fire, you’ll only smother the flames. Be sure to open the door slowly when adding logs or use a top loader for convenience and safety.
As the fire gets going you can alter the air control settings – check your manual for instructions. Remember that the lower the setting, the longer the fire will burn.
Learning how to properly start a fire in a wood stove is an important task to ensure safe and efficient use. Your family will enjoy many hours in front of the wood stove basking in the warmth and comfort of a well built fire.
February 2, 2010
While installing a wood stove is not a simple task, there are three basic things you will need to remember and take care of. Include a suitable, safe chimney system, keep the stovepipe where it’s supposed to be and protect your floors and walls. Once you work through these three steps, your wood stove installation is sure to be safe and efficient.
Many new wood stove installs utilize an insulated or high temperature chimney. There are situations where an existing masonry chimney can be used, but it’s more complicated and will likely require extensive retro-fitting. An insulated chimney works in single storey applications (either with sloped or flat roofs) and in two storey buildings where the chimney runs up along the side of the house. You want your chimney to be tall – a minimum of 2 feet above any structure within 10 feet and at least 3 feet above peaks. Place a chimney cap on the end to prevent birds from nesting and have the least amount of bends possible in it for better suction.
It is possible to update existing masonry chimneys to current industry standards using a stainless steel chimney liner. Check with your hearth dealer and local chimney sweep to find out exactly what else will need to be done. You may find it easier and cheaper to simply install a new High Temperature chimney for your wood stove.
Never use a stovepipe to pass through walls, floors or ceilings. Normally stovepipe must be kept at least 18” away from any combustibles (such as your drywall, framing or flooring). Even with combustible protection, a heat shield added or an insulated, double-walled pipe, you should not be any closer than 6-9” from those surfaces. A stovepipe is only for installation between the stove and its chimney. Don’t push the pipe beyond its intended use.
Protect your floor with concrete, either bare or covered in tile or brick. Alternatively, pre-fab stove boards and mats or cement underlay boards can be used as well, covered with tile or stone. This protection should cover underneath the entire woodstove, as well as 12” out from the sides and 18” out from the doors. If the stovepipe runs along the floor, the same protection will be needed underneath it.
Treat your walls in a similar fashion. Stove manufacturers will specify at what distance you need to install their stove from the wall, usually anywhere from 8 – 36”. If a non-combustible surface is attached to the wall you may be able to get closer. Things such as brick, stone or cement board will work. Also heat shields attached to the wall or the rear of the stove may work to protect the combustible surfaces.
Cover these three main items: install a proper chimney (either new or retro fit), keep the stovepipe out in the open and protect all walls and floors nearby. Then your wood stove will be sure to provide heat for your home with safety and efficiency.
Once your wood stove is installed, you should become familiar with its parts and their operation. The proper and timely maintenance of your wood stove can reduce the possibility of a fire. There are thousands of wood stove fires every year. Most wood stove fires can be avoided with proper installation, operation and maintenance. The following points concerning your stove pipe and chimney should be carefully checked during the initial set up and maintenance of a wood burning stove:
• The stove pipe should be of 22 or 24 gauge metal.
• The total length of the stove pipe is less than 10 feet.
• There is at least 18 inches between the top of the stove pipe and the ceiling or other combustible material.
• The stove pipe enters the chimney higher than the outlet of the stove firebox.
• The stove pipe does not extend into the chimney flue lining.
• The inside thimble diameter is the same size as the stove pipe for a snug fit.
• The stove pipe does not pass through a floor, closet, concealed space or enter the chimney in the attic.
• A UL approved “All Fuel” metal chimney is used where a masonry chimney is not available or practical.
• The chimney should extend at least 3 feet above the highest point where it passes through the roof and 2 feet above any portion of the building within 10 horizontal feet of the chimney.
• The chimney flue lining should not be blocked and the chimney flue and stove pipe kept clean.
• If you connect the stove to an existing chimney, the chimney should be inspected by a professional before using the stove.
After the installation of the wood stove, Fireplace Village recommends the following precautions be taken to minimize the risk of fire and to ensure the greatest amount of safety in your home:
• Make sure the smoke detectors on all levels of your home are operating properly and change the batteries at least annually.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
• Keep small children away from the stove. A touch to the wood stove’s surface can result in severe burns. A child safety gate (or hearth gate) is always a good idea with small children and pets in the home.
• Develop and practice an escape plan from all rooms (especially bedrooms) in the house.
• Keep local fire department phone number on speed dial or easily accessible.
Fireplace Village sells a number of wood stove accessories that address fire safety, including carbon monoxide detectors, ash buckets, woodstove pipe thermometers, creosote destroying logs and Chimfex Fire Suppressant. Visit one of our New Hampshire locations to purchase wood stove fire safety accessories or buy fire safety products online.
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