Better summer preparation
The air in some parts of the Waikato region can become so dirty that when we breathe it in it can pose a risk to our health and wellbeing. Home heating, especially the use of old wood burners and wet wood, is the main cause of the Waikato region’s air pollution.
But there are some simple steps you can take to prepare for better burning during the summer: sweep right – keep it clear, once a year; stock early – avoid delay, collect today; and store dry – avoid the pain, avoid the rain.
You can also find winter burning tips and other useful information at the bottom of the page.
Sweep right
Keep it clear. Getting your chimney swept at least once a year will help your fire burn cleaner and warmer by allowing for more complete combustion.
If you don’t, it can result in dangerous levels of creosote build-up that could cause a chimney fire and even invalidate your home insurance.
Chimney sweeping can be a dirty and dangerous job, particularly if you don’t know what you’re doing, so it’s always advisable to employ a professional chimney sweep. You can find information on local service providers here.
This will save you money in the long run by improving heat output and reducing the risk of costly damage.
Stock early
Don’t delay. Collecting wood today is always smart if you want to be prepared for winter.
Wood can take six months to a year to dry out, so stocking and storing is always an ongoing task. Summer is probably the most pleasant time of year to collect wood and allows you to take advantage of longer warmer days to speed up the drying process.
You can often gather your own firewood from September to April in specific forest areas. Contact your district council for details.
Local Lions clubs and other altruistic community groups often collect dry firewood for vulnerable residents. In Tokoroa, for example, the City Lions provide wood by referral to local pensioners. Check the Tokoroa City Lions Facebook page for updates.
Store dry
Avoid the pain. Keeping your wood out of the rain just makes life easier. You don’t need a flash garage or shed to do this.
In fact, stacking wood outside is preferable as it enables good air flow and exposure to the sun, allowing it to dry out in around half the time.
Stack it in a single row, elevated off the ground. Use wooden stakes or a simple frame to stop the logs rolling. Stacking it against a wall can help keep your pile stable but make sure you allow a small gap for air circulation.
Cover your wood pile with a tarpaulin, a piece of corrugated metal or any other waterproof covering you happen to have around. Keeping the sides of your stack mostly exposed will also help it dry quicker.
You’ll know when it’s done because dry wood is much lighter, cracks along the grain, feels dry to the touch and sounds hollow when knocked together.