A Beginner’s Guide to Winter Firewood Storage

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If the meteorologists are right, Canadians are in for a particularly daunting winter. Reports of extreme cold and tons of snow are in the air, all destined to arrive sooner than usual. But that’s ok, we’re Canadians. No one has to tell us that winter is coming. The question is, are you properly prepared?

If you own a wood burning fireplace, winter preparation definitely means proper firewood storage. While this practice may be second nature to those who’ve owned a wood-burning fireplace for years, for those who have just purchased a home that came equipped with a wood-burner, the ins and outs of firewood storage might not be obvious.

Here are some firewood storage essentials

  1. Choose a good location

Find a good spot in your yard to stack a wood pile. This should be someplace easily accessible, approximately 30 feet away from your house. If you wish to keep a few pieces of wood outside the back door, or on a deck, make sure that those pieces are only there for a short period of time.

Wondering why it’s a good idea to keep your firewood 30 feet from the house or stored on the deck for only a short period of time? Critter interlopers! Wood piles are notorious gathering places for rodents and insects. That means, if you’ve stacked your wood pile right next to the house, if could make it easier for those little creatures to find their way into your home.

  1. Keep it off the ground

When building your wood stack, be sure to start with a good base. This can be a store-bought firewood rack or even a few palettes. This will help keep your wood nice and dry.

  1. Keep it covered

Keep your firewood nice and dry with a good cover. While a basic tarp can certainly do the job, your best bet is to opt for a firewood storage rack cover. Choose one that property fits the size rack that you have. It should also feature access zippers, that allow your wood to remain easily accessible.

  1. Don’t store wood in the garage

Yes, many people do it, especially in places where the winter can get bitterly cold. However, a word to the wise, if you bring firewood into your garage, chances are, you’re also bringing pests that can find their way into your things, your car, or even your house.

  1. Don’t store wood in the house

Have you seen those gorgeous, built-in firewood installations that are popping up on home reno shows and in magazines? Picture this, a floor to ceiling recess beside the fireplace, stylishly stacked high with wood, in all of its rustic glory. Now picture sitting in that same space one evening, by the roaring fire and imagine an army of beetles pouring out of the wood pile, or termites making their way to the other tasty areas of your home.

This same thought goes for wood stored in the basement or any other place inside your house. You can store a few pieces in a fireside log rack, but plan to use them as quickly as possible.

*Article courtesy of EiEiHome