Safety in Using a Wood Heater

This is what should be done to safely use a woodaround the door in the groove. Scrape out any of
heating system. Before you ever start a fire inthe old chord still inside the heater door groove
your wood heater check the stove pipe andand when clean wipe it with a rag. Apply the liquid
chimney. Look to see they are properlyadhesive a few drops at a time to the inside of
connected and that they have no holes showing.the groove. The warmth of the door will cause it
Fumes like carbon monoxide, as well as smoke,to become sticky in a few minutes. When the
could escape into your house through a hole in theadhesive becomes gel-like, press the chord into
stove pipe, as could flames f you ever have athe groove with a screwdriver. Hold the chord in
small chimney fire. That could start a house fire.place for a few moments while it sets, attaching
Open a window some to allow oxygen froma few inches of the chord to the groove at a
outside to enter the room where your heater istime. When it is all in place, close the heater door.
burning. The fire burns up the oxygen present inTighten the door latch as much as possible and let
the room when the heater is operating.it set for about fifteen minutes.
It is a good idea to have your heater sitting on aThe chimney must be checked for an excess of
sheet metal base, that stretches out in front ofsoot deposited on its inside. It is a good idea to
the heater's door. This metal sheet spreads outopen the hole for the soot to fall down the
any excessive heat on the floor and should thechimney and stove pipe into the heaters burning
fire spit out burning embers when the door ischamber. This is done by turning two fire bricks
opened for putting wood in, the floor will beon their side at the top of the heaters burning
protected from burns. This can often happen ifchamber.
the wood being burnt is not completely dry. SomeWear old clothes. Take hand wiping rag, chimney
types of wood like spruce will tend to pop andcleaning brush, and the tools needed to remove
spit embers frequently while burning.the stove pipe cap at the top of your chimney.
Check the fire proof chord seal around the doorCarefully climb onto the roof. Take off the
of the heater, making sure that there are nochimney cap and brush the soot off the inside of
holes or gaps present. You want the fire box ofthe cap. Look inside the chimney. You will likely
your heater air tight when you close the draftsee a layer of black soot covering the top of the
lever shutting off the air flow. The draft leverchimney. Blow it away. Take the chimney brush
allows you to control how hot the fire burns.and carefully push it down and pull it up the
Closing the draft lever slows down the fire bychimney. Do this repeatedly until you see no more
stopping its oxygen supply.black near the top of the chimney. When it's clean
You should keep a door seal repair kit on hand. Itreattach the cap onto the chimney, clean your
contains a tube of liquid adhesive and a length ofhands and tools with the rag and be careful
fire proof rope-like chord. If you can see the lightclimbing down off the roof. Take your time. It is
of the fire through the edge of the door wherenot worth getting hurt by falling.
the door seal is located, repair is needed.Wood heat is a comfortable way of heating your
It is best to do the repair when the door of thehome but it does take some safety knowledge
heater is still quite warm. Measure and cut theand precautions to do so safely.
correct length of door sealing chord that will fit all