Our Chimney Sweeps Discuss what to Look for when Buying Seasoned Firewood

Seasoned firewood produces less creosote, and therefore reduces your risk of fire. Knowing whether you are purchasing seasoned firewood can be difficult, which is why our chimney sweeps would like to offer you this advice.
Characteristics
Well-seasoned firewood has lost a great deal of water, which ultimately causes it to shrink. Not only does this mean that seasoned firewood is smaller, but it also means that pieces may develop “checks” on their ends. Checks are actually small cracks, and are different from splits in the wood, which are usually deeper and appear in the center.
Other characteristics that well-seasoned firewood may have include:

• Bark that is very loose and peeling away from the rest of the wood
• A silvery patina with no visible yellowing on the log itself
• Being slightly darker in color than freshly-cut firewood

Weight
Another way to determine if wood is seasoned is to feel how heavy it is. Seasoned firewood is lighter, because a great deal of moisture has already evaporated from it. If you aren’t quite sure how much a particular species of wood should weigh, try feeling a piece that has recently been cut if possible.
Find out when Cut
The best way to determine if your firewood is seasoned is to find out when it was cut. Most species take at least six months to properly cure, but nine to 12 months of seasoning will provide you with ideal results. Unless you are buying firewood directly from a supplier, finding out when it was cut may not be possible, in which case you will need to examine it carefully for one of the above signs.
Even when burning seasoned firewood, you will still need chimney cleaning in New York City NY on an annual basis to ensure your safety.

A Riddle About A Chimney? Really?

What can go up a chimney down but not down a chimney up? An umbrella, of course! But the business of chimney sweeping is no laughing matter. Why should we take the conditions that exist inside of our chimney seriously?

• Fire!!! Right before winter we're bombarded by the usual TV ads. Cha-cha-cha chia things, and fireplace logs designed to scour flammable stuff out of the chimneys inner area. That residue deposited by burning logs in the fireplace can catch fire. The National Fire Protection Association calculates that 38% of reported home heating fires between 2007 and 2011 were chimney and/or fireplace related. Don't trust a log to keep you safe. Call a chimney sweeping professional.
• Deadly Danger With No Warning! Cars aren't the only source of deadly carbon monoxide. A chimney experiences debris buildup from birds and trees which clogs the chimney. That clogging inhibits the free exit of everything our fireplace burns. Carbon monoxide is a gas that's colorless, odorless, tasteless, and deadly and lurks in the chimney when we use our fireplace . Like visiting in-laws, we want it to flow out of our home as soon as possible. A well-maintained chimney insures that! 
• An Ounce Of Prevention? Priceless! Regular inspection of our chimney by an expert in the field alerts us to issues we can't see from the outside or may not recognize as a problem if we did see it. Professionals are also on the cutting edge of new products and/or technology regarding chimneys and fireplaces. We are always available for consultation on all chimney related questions. If your chimney problems seem like a riddle, contact your local provider to learn more about chimney sweeping in Los Angeles.