Preparing Your Fire As We Enter The Cold

The cold weather has started to take hold. The heating is on in many homes and offices. Jumpers are down out of the loft, the big coat is on the hook ready to go, and the winter shoes are by the door. So what's missing? The logs for the fire of course! 

Check Over Your Fireplace

You may have cleaned out your fireplace, log burner, or stove at the end of the last season. But that doesn't mean you don't have to check it before lighting up this year! 

Over the summer months, any number of things can interfere with your fireplace. From critters calling it home to the dog toy being lodged in a really terrible place, you'll be surprised what can happen in a short few months. 

If you have a log burner, ensure that you check all the elements for signs of wear and decay before starting to prepare your fire. If you see signs of decay, you may want to address this before lighting a fire as it can cause further issues or damage, making the fire dangerous. 

Check The Chimney

Many people remember to check over the fireplace itself, but seldom remember to check the actual chimney. It is highly recommended to have your chimney swept at the start of each season to ensure that you are free from debris, excess soot and of course bird nests. 

It is recommended that you bring in a professional to do the sweeping. However, we know that many DIYers will want to do it themselves. It is possible and sweeping kits are readily available. But please remember to take great care, and ensure you protect the interior of your home from the soot. If you have any safety concerns, never undertake the sweep yourself. 

Purchasing The Right Logs

Here in the UK, the government has brought in legislation to reduce the sales of wet logs (and coal). This is in a bid to reduce the pollution, and specifically, reduce the heath issues associated with the particles that it releases. 

Here at D Price and Sons, we stock a selection of either hardwood or softwood, kiln-dried, meaning it is ready to burn. With the new legislation in mind, this helps to ensure that you (and us) are complying with the legislation.

Storing Your Logs

As the new legislation states that only dried logs should be burnt in residential areas, it is important to ensure that your log storage is adequate. This means that it is completely watertight and keeps the moisture content of your logs below 20%. 

If you are storing your logs outdoors, they will need to be in something close to a shed. Meaning that it has a base raised off the ground, solid sides and a watertight roof. Keeping your logs in an old-style log store that is open to one side allows in rain and moisture, meaning the logs will then need to be moved inside to dry before they can be burnt. 

Here at D Price and Sons, we like to ensure that our customers are getting the highest quality products every time. So if you have any questions, please get in touch with a member of the team who will be happy to discuss this with you!