Wood Burner Advice & Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve been in this business since 1999, that’s over 25 years, and I have serviced more than 30,000 chimneys. As you can imagine I’ve learned a fair bit about keeping a wood burner running safely and well. Here’s the advice I find myself giving customers most often, plus answers to the questions I get asked all the time. If yours isn’t here, just give me a call or send me a message through the website.
My Top Advice
How often should you get your chimney swept?
For most homes burning through winter, you will need the flue swept once a year. Consider doing this over the warmer months so you’re ready before the cold arrives. If you burn a lot of fires all winter or you’ve noticed more smoke or a weaker draw, you may need it more often. Think of the yearly sweep as the warrant of fitness for your wood burner. I give it a free safety check before cleaning the flue. This keeps your fire safe, efficient and easy to light.
Burn dry wood, and burn it well
The single biggest thing you can do for a clean, hot fire is burn dry, well-seasoned wood. Wet or green wood burns cool, coats your flue in creosote, and blackens your glass. Aim for wood that’s been split and stacked under cover for a year to season, and give your fire plenty of air when you first light it so it gets up to temperature. You’ll use less wood, get more heat, and keep your chimney cleaner.
Signs your wood burner needs some attention
Give me a call if you notice any of these:
- The fire is hard to light or won’t draw properly
- Smoke coming back into the room
- The glass keeps blackening no matter what you burn
- The door doesn’t seal, or the rope around it is worn
- Cracked or crumbling firebricks inside the firebox
- It’s just not putting out the heat it used to
Most of these are straightforward fixes, and catching them early keeps them cheap.
What to expect on the day
You can expect me to arrive on time. I cover your floors and surrounds with drop sheets before I start. First I do the safety check and talk you through anything I find and what, if anything, needs doing. Then I sweep the chimney and make any repairs you’ve agreed to. There’s no need to worry about soot through the house: I seal the wood burner and it all goes straight into my vacuum. I keep the work clean and tidy, take all the mess away with me, and leave your home exactly as I found it, only warmer and safer.
Buying or selling a home with a wood burner?
If a house is changing hands, you’ll often need proof the wood burner is safe for the buyer. I provide a clear written safety report for exactly this. See the Pre-Sale Safety Inspections page for the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a service cost?
It depends on the job, so the best thing is to give me a quick call and I’ll let you know. For context, replacing a wood burner altogether can cost around $8,000, so keeping yours well maintained with a regular service is money well spent.
When’s the best time to book?
Over the warmer months, October to February, you are not using your fire so much and I am not as busy, so you get your pick of times, and beat the winter rush.
Why should I get my chimney cleaned every year?
A clean flue (chimney) is a safe flue. Build up in the flue when it is used and not swept leads to chimney fires. No one needs that. An annual clean with safety report helps give you peace of mind, and something to show the insurance company if you ever need to claim.
How long does a sweep take?
Generally I need 20 to 30 minutes to do a chimney sweep with a safety report. If I need to do any repairs while I am onsite, it will take longer.
Do I need to do anything before you arrive?
It is very important that the fire is cold and the ashes are removed, so that I can work on it easily.
Do you make a mess?
No. I cover your floors with a drop sheet before I start and take all the soot and any mess away with me. You’d never know I’d been, except for a fire that runs beautifully of course.
What areas do you cover?
The Hutt Valley (Lower Hutt, Wainuiomata, Eastbourne, Petone, Upper Hutt and the surrounding hills), out to Porirua, and including the northern Wellington suburbs from Newlands to Tawa. Check if you are in my area, or if you are unsure give me a call.
Do you repair all makes and models?
Yes. I service and repair all the common New Zealand brands and carry the most common parts, so many repairs can be done on the spot.
Can you provide a safety report for insurance or selling a house?
Yes. Every sweep and service includes a free safety check, or you can get me out to complete a safety inspection and provide a certificate for insurance, or for buying or selling a home with a wood burner. Find out more about the pre-sale safety inspection.
What is your ‘warrant of fitness’ service?
The regular service I recommend you do every year will maintain a safe wood burner. It includes the full safety check with report and I clean the flue (chimney sweep). If any repairs are needed I give you a quote on the spot, and I can fix things while I am there, since I am a full mobile service. I have spare parts for most makes and models in the van.
What is a baffle?
A baffle is the steel plate at the top of the fire box.
Why is my wood burner not drawing properly?
A fire that won’t draw can happen for a few reasons. The most common are damp or green wood, a flue that’s due for a sweep, or not giving the fire enough air when you first light it. Even the height of the flue can cause that. The best thing to do is give me a call, and I’ll check it out, tell you why it’s happening and what’s needed to fix it.
Why is the glass on the wood burner door black?
Black glass is caused by the creosote build up from burning wet wood. Watch out for this one, it can cause a chimney fire. Read my advice on the best wood to burn.
I live by the sea, how can I stop the flue from rusting?
Sea air is hard on the metal flues and you need to ensure you have a stainless steel outer liner installed when you live by the sea to avoid that rusting.
My wood burner isn’t working, will you come out on the weekend or in the evenings?
Wood burner repairs are best done during business hours. I carry most common parts in my van so I can fix it fast. More serious repairs will need parts ordered, and I can’t think of a time I have ever needed to do a repair outside of business hours.
How can I check if the wood burner was installed properly?
Contact your local council to check they have a permit for the wood burner. All wood burner installations need a council permit, even replacements.
Do I need council permission to replace my old wood burner?
Any new wood burner being installed, even a replacement needs a local council permit. Contact your council to organise this.
Do you install replacement wood burners?
I don’t do the installs but I can tell you who to call for that one.