Your local chimney and fireplace pros in Hilliard

Firewood decides a lot about how a wood fireplace behaves, including how much creosote builds up in the flue. Wood smoke carries water vapor and unburned gases, and as that smoke rises and loses heat in the flue, some of it condenses on the walls as creosote. Wet wood makes the problem worse, since the fire spends its heat boiling off water, burns cooler and sends more cool, heavy smoke up the chimney.

EPA Burn Wise advises seasoning wood for at least six months and burning it at a moisture reading below 20 on a wood moisture meter. Dry wood is darker, lighter in the hand, with cracks opening at the ends, and gives a hollow knock when two pieces strike each other. Store it raised off the soil, covered on top and open at the sides, since wrapped sides trap moisture.

Burn it in fires that are small and hot rather than smoldering, and keep household trash, cardboard, plastics and painted or pressure-treated wood out of the fireplace. Softwoods and hardwoods both burn well when they are dry, and the difference is mostly how fast they burn. Even with good wood, deposits build up, and NFPA 211 calls for a yearly inspection with cleaning when needed.

Light, flaky soot and creosote come off with brushes, while hard, glazed creosote needs a separate removal process. When we sweep, we note which form we found, which also tells you something about how the fire has been burning. Wood sold as seasoned is worth checking with a meter before it goes on the fire, since a piece can be dry outside and wet inside.

Split one and test the fresh face for a true reading. Ashes belong in a covered metal can stored outside, at least 10 feet from the house as fire safety guidance advises, since hidden embers can stay hot for days. A sweep in Hilliard clears what the wood leaves behind, and the written note says how much there was.

Give us a call at (904) 920-5495; the inspection in Hilliard is free and the estimate comes in writing.