How Marlborough Homeowners Can Prevent Fire Damage With Wood Stove Safety

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

If you decide to have a wood stove, and you have fire damage issues. Call SERVPRO and let their IICRC certified technicians handle all the work.

Inspections and Cleanings by SERVPRO Can Mitigate Fires

Wood stoves are popular with some homeowners. They provide heat and look attractive and a little bit rustic. A wood-burning stove is comforting and cute, and who does not enjoy the crackle of a real fire? Unfortunately for Marlborough homeowners, wood stoves are also a fire risk. That is why SERVPRO recommends being cautious and taking precautions to keep wood stoves safe. 

There are several steps Marlborough wood stove owners can adopt to reduce the risk of fire damage. It does not take much effort to secure a wood-burning stove and make it safer, thus protecting your home from a potential blaze. 

Proper clearance from surrounding materials is a must. Check the manufacturer’s instructions or get your burner professionally installed to ensure enough space at the front, back, top, bottom, and sides. 

A proper chimney is required. Chimneys should be UL-listed and constructed in such a way as to be safe for use with your stove (lined or double bricked are standard). Do not use an unlined, single brick chimney for a wood-burning stove under any circumstances. 

Good ventilation is a must. Ventilation problems are a leading cause of wood stove-related home fires. The vents connecting the stove to the chimney must be as short as possible, with no more than two ninety-degree bends. Fasten stovepipes securely, and make sure the seams between sections overlap. Improper ventilation can lead to emergency health hazards.

Wood-fired burners require cleaning at least once a year. The stove itself, the stovepipes, and the chimney all need a thorough cleaning. If you cannot do it yourself, call in a professional to do it for you. 

Avoid creosote buildup. Creosote is highly flammable and builds up when the stove burns at a relatively low temperature, thus failing to release combustible gases to the atmosphere, so they stick to the stove and form creosote. You can scrub away some black deposits with a wire brush, but some adhere firm and require a professional chimney sweep. 

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration

In the unfortunate event of fire damage, SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified technicians are on hand to assist with cleanup. We arrive equipped with heavy-duty cleaning equipment to deal with soot damage and take care of deodorizing your home after cleaning is complete. 

For help with soot cleanup in Marlborough, Concord, and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of Marlboro / Concord at (978) 486-9868 for assistance.