Wood stove servicing

Always amazes me that the cost of a stove and its attendant installation is comparable to buying a small family car, but the car will be cleaned regularly, have new tyres fitted when needed, and MOT'd to assure its continued safe running...The stove, on the other hand, usually neglected.

I regularly see stoves with broken bricks, cracked glazing, frayed rope seals, and a surface finish that wouldn't look out of place in a farmyard! This was your pride and joy once, a valuable, desirable addition to your home, it works hard all winter, keeping you cosy, why then does the door get shut in the spring, and its ignored until creaked open in the autumn ...?

Rope seals. These should be replaced roughly biannually. Trap a piece of A4 in the door and try to pull it out. If it comes easily, ie the rope is not gripping it, you need new rope....

Bricks. Minor cracks in bricks are non consequential, but I oft see jigsaw puzzles in stoves. (Usually the rear brick...Stop THROWING the wood in!) If all that is holding a brick in is will power, treat your stove to a new one!

Baffles. Out of sight, out of mind! High above the fire, and not always visble, the baffles task is crucial. Its directing the smoke where it is supposed to go, extracting heat from it on route, and protecting the top surface of your stove, and your chimney liner from direct punishment by the flames. Check this regularly. if its metal and deformed, replace. If its brick and broken, replace! Its designed to be sacrificial. Think of it like your car tires. It wears out and will need regular replacement.

Glass. Readily available for all stoves. If your shy about fitting it, let a professional do it. (Too often I see cracked glass due to overtightened retaining clips)

Glass clips. A favourite. These should never be overtightened, so inevitably, without regular checking they can loosen and disappear into the fire to get thrown out with the ash! Test the screws now and again (Or ask your sweep to do so) to assure they aren't seized. These can be drilled out and retapped but its not a fun job!

Before ...and after....

Repaired, restored, and repainted....

Fully refurbished........

Treat your stove!