As more people explore installing a wood stove in their homes, it may be pertinent to look at common mistakes in this area. Despite the fact that the regulations are quite clear, we have seen cases when stove technicians tried to cut corners and minimize expenses at the risk of their customers’ safety. You would assume that technicians would stick closely to the regulations in this day and age, but alas, this is rarely the case. Continue reading to learn about these 3 installation mistakes to avoid!
Combustible Materials
The registration plate is a crucial part of any stove installation since it acts as a failsafe method to stop gas leaks from getting into your room. It is also there to collect any debris that might fall down your chimney, jeopardizing your safety and perhaps damaging your stove. Even while a flue liner is often included with most stove installations, that’s not always the case. The license plate, which is frequently made of steel, has to be secure in the event of gas leakage.
Poor Connections
There are connectors between the stove and the flue liner that must constantly be secure to ensure that carbon monoxide gas can be filtered through the liner and into the atmosphere. These connections need to be constantly inspected as well as maintained since if they become loose, carbon monoxide exposure might result. This gas is extremely dangerous, odorless, and invisible to the naked eye. However, we have seen fatal incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of subpar stove/flue liner connections. Thankfully, the laws have changed, and every stove installation is now required to contain a carbon monoxide detector. This alarm will monitor the levels of atmospheric carbon monoxide and alert everyone in the area to any potential dangers.
Consider switching to a coal stove by Legacy Stoves if safety is your main concern. We use anthracite coal which is the safest fuel to use, maintain, and burn compared to other alternative fuel sources. There is no need to worry about chimney fires, fuel leaks, or gas leaks when it is kept correctly for a long time.
Ignoring the Maintenance Needs
According to experts, you should check the stove, chimney, as well as the damper (if there is one) at least once per year or more often as necessary. First, each time you use the stove, carefully inspect your chimney. Make sure creosote isn’t blocking it. You’ll have to clean it if it is.
Ensure the air vent is cleaned if you have a “forced air” system, which the majority of homes do, to prevent improper gas mixing. Turbulence in the fire will result from this, wasting energy and resulting in creosote buildup in the chimney. Ensure that you keep the air vent clean by utilizing a pipe cleaner each time you use the stove to prevent this.
Ignoring the Firewood Supply
The rule of thumb for burning wood is plenty of dry firewood on hand. The wood’s moisture content should be 20 percent or less. Wood should also be free of nails, screws, and other metals.
It’s always a good idea to keep a wood-burning stove stocked with wood just in case unexpected weather moves in. This is a matter of safety, especially if you live in a remote area. It will help you avoid paying for expensive firewood delivery.