Spring is coming and it is time for stove maintenance!

I’m sure you are all pleased that this winter is now drawing to a close. If you are the proud owner of a wood stove no doubt it has served you and your home well over the cold months.

Now is the time to get your stove serviced and cleaned ready for the next winter. Engineers at this time of year are generally less busy and therefore easier to book.

Wood burning stove maintenance and cleaning mostly consists of regular removal of the ashes which also boosts the stove’s efficiency. Occasional cleaning of the internal surfaces with a wire brush or scraper will also improve your stoves performance.

You should always keep a close eye on potential problems such as holes in the ash pan, cracks, spots of rust on the finish and other unusual signs that may indicate damage.

It is also advisable to clean the glass on a regular basis because the longer you postpone the cleaning the harder is gets to remove the tar deposits. Always leave your stove to cool completely before you carry out any maintenance or cleaning chores.

In addition to keeping your stove clean inside and outside, be sure to have it inspected by a registered fitter (HETAS registered) at least once a year to make sure that everything is working perfectly.

You are also highly recommended to have your chimney cleaned and checked by a chimney sweep at least once a year or more often if you use wood burning stove on a regular basis. Poorly maintained or blocked chimneys pose a serious safety risk because they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and chimney fires.

Very important tip for the summer months

Outside the heating season leave the air inlet or the door of the stove slightly open in order to prevent condensation build-up in the stove and chimney.

Need help?

If you need help with maintenance or selecting a new stove please do contact us and one of our (HETAS) registered fitters will be happy to assist.