While wood and pellet stoves were once thought of as old fashioned heating appliances for use in cabins or other country dwellings, these heating appliances are now considered to be more modern than ever before. Heat production, high efficiency, and minimal maintenance are just some of the reasons more and more homeowners are choosing to install stoves in their homes.
Although wood and pellet stoves are considered extremely easy to use and keep up, they still need to have regular maintenance performed. By having your wood or pellet stove worked on each year you can ensure that it is in good condition, free from any deterioration or damage, and is safe for you and your family to use.
Wood stove maintenance
Wood stoves have come a long way from their traditional roots. However, even the most modern stoves still need to be regularly maintained in order to work their best. Regularly checking things such as the seal of the door adjustment and gaskets, air tubes, and catalysts can all help identify if any problems are developing.
One of the most important parts of wood stove maintenance is cleaning and sweeping the chimney. Similar to an open hearth fireplace, burning wood in your stove produces creosote, a flammable byproduct of combustion reactions. While creosote is often created in smaller amounts due to the efficiency of stoves, it is still hazardous and can lead to accidental chimney fires. Removing creosote allows wood stoves to operate both safely and efficiently.
Pellet stove maintenance
Because pellet stoves operate using a recycled fuel source, produce little to no smoke, are extremely efficient, and even come with self-cleaning options, many homeowners are surprised to learn that their pellet stoves still need regular maintenance.
In addition to regular maintenance, there are a number of symptoms that may indicate your pellet stove needs to be maintained. Some of the most common pellet stove issues that can occur are:
- Performance problems
- Feeding issues
- Staining on glass
- Stove odors
- Decrease in efficiency
What to expect
Stove maintenance is about more than just removing ash or cleaning the flue. At Magic Broom, we have a 33-point stove inspection and cleaning that ensures that your stove is in good working condition and safe to use. Some of the services included in our stove cleaning and inspection include:
- Cleaning the combustion chamber and parts
- Cleaning and lubricating the combustion and convection motors
- Seal inspection
- Exhaust pipe inspection and cleaning
- Ash removal and vacuuming
In addition, we take the time to start and run the stove so we can see it in operation and ensure it is functioning properly. Lastly, we provide you with a written safety inspection on completion of services. This gives you a detailed report on the condition of your stove as well as any damage or areas of concern that were found and recommendations for repairs.
While stoves burn and operate more efficiently than other heating appliances, they still need to be regularly inspected and cleaned. This year, keep your wood or pellet stove operating smoothly with stove maintenance. Contact Magic Broom today to schedule your wood and pellet stove maintenance appointment!