Why You Need To Think Twice Before Stacking Wood On The Exterior Of Your Home
Whether you need firewood for your wood stove or pizza oven, it can be tricky to find the right spot to store it. It's easy to lean logs on an outside wall near a back door so you can grab them whenever you need to, but this makes your house vulnerable to certain pests that can damage your home, like termites, carpenter ants, mice, and snakes.
Another problem with stacking wood against the exterior of your home is that rainwater from the roof and gutters can get into it or dampen the ground under it, in turn making it moist. This is a problem because wet wood, whether from rainwater or due to improper ventilation, won't burn well, so you need to store it the right way.
The recommended distance for wood stored outside is about 30 feet from the exterior, especially when close to a door or other opening that pests can enter through. Thirty feet is also the distance required by law to reduce the chance of damage from a wildfire, which is important to know if you're in a fire-prone area. Additionally, there should be at least 10 feet of clearance on all sides.
The right way to stack wood outside
Once you've identified where you need to store your firewood to keep it at a safe distance from your home, you'll want to stack it on an elevated structure and keep it covered in a way that air can still pass through it. It should also receive plenty of sunlight throughout the day to keep it nice and dry. Following these steps will address both the water and pest issues discussed above.
Firewood racks should be a few inches away from the ground and the cover or tarp should be waterproof. There are stylish options out there for racks and covers so storing your wood outside won't have to affect your home's aesthetic and curb appeal. They come in different forms, sizes, and materials depending on your needs. For example, you can get a rack with various compartments if you have different log sizes or one with wheels if you need something easy to move around. A rack with compartments will also prevent your firewood stack from getting too tall, which increases the risk of it falling over and hurting someone.