Spring is upon us. The birds are chirping, the leaves are turning green, and the flowers are blooming. So we know the last thing you are probably thinking of is firewood for winter. But honestly, what better time is there to be prepared and stock up on wood for your Northern Virginia and Maryland home than the present? After all, it’s very easy to achieve well-seasoned firewood during summer that’s primed and ready to burn when it gets cold.
With that, we thought we would give you some tips on storing firewood to keep it safe and secure until you’re ready to use it.
Storing Your Wood
To protect your wood the best way to store it is by stacking it tightly in triangular shapes at a distance of about 20 feet from your home to deter termites and other bugs. A tightly stacked woodpile will allow air flow but also keep animals out.
Protecting Your Wood
Buying firewood for your home is an investment, so protecting it from damage should be a priority. Never store wood in your home, this leaves it prone to mold. All firewood should be stored in the method outlined above, covered and protected from moisture. This will allow it to “season” and be ready to burn when the mercury drops.
Note The Size
Any wood you receive that is larger than 8 inches should be split as soon as you can. That’s because green wood is much easier to split than seasoned wood that has had time to harden. All wood should be in the range of 8-12 inches, cut into a triangular shape, and stored as described above. Triangular-shaped wood is easier to stack and, when it comes time to burn, is easier to carry from your woodpile to your stove.
For more information on how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to contact us any time.