Where should firewood be stacked?

Wood should be stacked in rows no more than four feet high. You can either use a log rack or pallets and posts. If the firewood isn't fully seasoned yet, stack it bark-side down so the moisture can continue to easily evaporate from the wood.

Also asked, is it OK to stack firewood next to House?

Keep the pile near the home, but not too close. About 30 feet away or so is a safe distance. Choose a spot that has good drainage so the bottom layer of wood doesn't sink into muddy ground. Stacking wood on old pallets is even better, so the firewood doesn't touch the ground at all.

Secondly, do you stack firewood bark up or down? If split wood is stored outdoors, stacking it with the bark side down can allow water to collect in the u-shaped trough. This moisture retention can prolong drying and accelerate decay, says Knaebe.

Similarly one may ask, how do you stack firewood on a hill?

Lay a row down on the ground and put pallets on the end to hold the wood in. I just secure my ends to the bottom with 2x4s. Then I would stack the uphill side first and try and keep it leaning that way as you stack to keep the weight off the downhill end.

Should firewood be covered in the summer?

To keep your wood from becoming wet, moldy, and/or infested with bugs it is best to keep your stack of firewood off the ground and covered.

26 Related Question Answers Found

Is it OK to burn termite infested wood?

Burning Termite Infested Wood

It's safe to burn termite infested wood – this won't do anything to harm you – although it will harm the termite. Though it will add to the cozy-ness of your home, there is a chance that you'll be inviting termites to cozy up along side you.

Should I cover my firewood?

Ideally, firewood should remain uncovered so it can be properly dried, but this is not practical when rain, snow and ice can quickly coat winter firewood. A good cover over the top of your woodpile will protect it, and be sure the cover is slanted to shed moisture away from the pile's base.

How far away from my house should I stack firewood?

Otherwise, all firewood should actually be stored "at least five feet or more away from the foundation of the home," advises Orkin Pest Control. Stack it off the ground (pallets allow for drainage), and away from trees. The farther away from any structure, the better.

Will firewood dry in a pile?

Yes, firewood can indeed dry, season or in short, get ready for burning even if you throw it all randomly in a pile. BUT… This is because the firewood isn't actually stacked. There's no way for the sun, wind and all of the actual drying elements to reach the wood nicely.

Does firewood dry faster inside outside?

Drying wood means the moisture comes out of the wood (obviously) into the surrounding environment. So if you are drying it indoors, all that moisture will go into your indoor air and the house stucture.

Should you store firewood in your garage?

It's recommended that firewood be stacked at least 20 to 30 feet away from the exterior of the home to keep pests away. If you're concerned about keeping snow and moisture off the wood, keep the firewood securely covered outside rather than having it sit in the garage or basement attached to your home.

How do you cover stacked firewood?

The easiest way to cover your firewood is to use a tarp. After you've stacked the wood, place the tarp on the top of the stack. Cover only the top and let an inch or two hang down. Do not cover the sides of the stack, since you'll need airflow to dry the wood out.

How long does firewood need to dry?

about six months

Can I store firewood in my basement?

Finally, if you do keep firewood inside, try not to store it in a damp basement or garage. While most of the lumber in a home is too dry for most insects' tastes, wood with any moisture in it can be a tempting treat.

How do you keep firewood out of termites?

Store Firewood Carefully to Avoid Termite Infestation

Store firewood a few feet away from your home or any other buildings on your property.
Raise the stored wood 8 to 12 inches off the ground.
Don't apply pesticides to the wood thinking that this will kill existing termites or protect against new infestation.

How can you tell if wood is seasoned?

To identify well seasoned wood, check the ends of the logs. If they are dark in colour and cracked, they are dry. Dry seasoned wood is lighter in weight than wet wood and makes a hollow sound when hitting two pieces together. If there is any green colour visible or bark is hard to peel, the log is not yet dry.

Can firewood be too dry?

Kiln-dried wood is down around 10 percent moisture. Depending on climate and conditions of storage, normal firewood won't dry down to kiln-dried moisture because of normal outdoor humidity. Above 30% water bubbles from the end grain when the wood is heated and it is very hard to burn at all.

Can you burn unseasoned wood in your fireplace?

Burning unseasoned wood in a fireplace is never advisable, because unseasoned wood has a lot of moisture that causes it to smoke much more when burning. In addition, burning unseasoned wood increases the amount of creosote that builds up in your chimney, which can become dangerous.

Can I stack firewood on the ground?

It is not recommended that you stack firewood on the ground. When you stack your wood on the ground moisture from the ground can enter into the wood and it would not dry properly. Also, if you stack your firewood on the ground it will turn into a perfect home for termites.

Can you burn old firewood?

There actually are simple Firewood shouldn't be able to age past its usefulness for burning. In other words, if the firewood is protected from insects and moisture reasonably well, it could last for many years before burning.

Can seasoned firewood get wet?

First realize that firewood has two qualities when it relates to moisture. Seasoned wood that is sitting in water will get wet, and won't burn well. Much like green wood, it can burn assuming it is not waterlogged. A passing rain is not going to have a significant impact on firewood that is not laying in a puddle.

How long should it take to stack a cord of wood?

Thanks! The time it takes to stack wood is largely dependent on the method of stacking and also how far it needs to be moved. If the firewood is to be stacked near the location of the wood, I would say that 3 cords can be properly stacked between one and two hours.