By Johnathan Mason, Ace Chimney Service.
Most firewood advice is about seasoning: split the wood, let it dry for most of a year, and burn it once the moisture is down. That matters, but bad storage can ruin a well-seasoned cord in a few weeks. A woodpile in the wrong spot also draws termites, carpenter ants and mice right up to the foundation. Here is how we suggest homeowners around Lakewood keep their wood dry, clean and ready for the heating season.
How far from the house should firewood be stacked?
Stack the main woodpile well away from the house, not against the siding or on the deck. Several yards is a sensible starting gap. Wood stacked against a wall traps moisture on the siding and hides insect activity. It also gives mice and ants a sheltered path straight to the sill plate. And it puts a large pile of fuel right next to the building, which is the last place you want it.
Get the wood off the ground
Firewood on soil or grass wicks moisture up from below, and the bottom row starts to rot. Stack it on a rack, on pallets, or on a pair of treated rails or concrete blocks so air moves underneath. A gravel pad under the rack keeps weeds down and drains fast after rain and snowmelt. That matters in McHenry County, where spring can keep a pile wet for weeks.
Cover the top, leave the sides open
Cover only the top of the stack. A tarp wrapped around the whole pile holds moisture in and makes seasoned wood damp again. A short roof, a piece of scrap metal roofing, or a tarp tied over just the top rows will shed rain and snow. The wind keeps drying the open sides. On the top layer, stack pieces bark side up so water runs off instead of pooling in the split faces.
Stack for airflow
Single rows dry faster than deep heaps. Leave a hand width between rows. If you can, face the long side into the prevailing wind and pick a spot that gets some sun. On a free-standing stack, crisscross the pieces at each end, sometimes called cribbing, so the ends stay up without posts.
How much wood to bring inside
Bring in only what you will burn in a day or two. A small indoor rack near the fireplace is fine. A large supply in the house, garage or basement is not: insects dormant in the bark wake up in the warmth and wander into the living space. Knock each piece before you carry it in, and keep the indoor rack a safe distance from the hearth opening.
Why storage affects your chimney
Wet wood burns cool and smoky, and a cool, smoky fire lays creosote inside the flue. Good storage keeps good wood dry. If your wood has been hissing or steaming, the flue has likely collected more deposits than usual, and your annual inspection is the right time to check. The standard we follow, NFPA 211, calls for a chimney inspection once a year for soundness, deposits and correct clearances. Our DIY chimney care guide covers the checks you can do yourself between visits.
Ace Chimney Service has 29 years in this trade. We are insured and bonded, and we give you the price up front before any work starts. We work seven days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM, serving Crystal Lake and the rest of McHenry County. Book a chimney inspection, see our full list of chimney services, or visit our page on chimney sweep service in Lakewood. Call (815) 320-0883.
Frequently asked questions
Can I store firewood in the garage?
A day or two of wood is fine. A full season in an attached garage brings insects and rodents close to the living space and puts a lot of fuel against the house. Keep the main supply outdoors on a rack.
Should I cover my woodpile with a tarp?
Cover the top only. A tarp that wraps the sides traps moisture and slows drying. A top cover sheds rain and snow and still lets the wind move through the stack.
Do termites in firewood spread to the house?
They can reach the structure if the pile sits against the foundation or siding. Keeping wood off the ground and away from the walls removes the easy bridge from the pile to the house.
How long does stored firewood stay good?
Seasoned hardwood kept off the ground under a top cover stays good for a couple of seasons. Wood left on bare soil or wrapped in plastic softens and rots much sooner.
Is it safe to keep a firewood rack next to the fireplace?
A small rack is fine if it sits far enough from the hearth opening that sparks and radiant heat cannot reach it. Keep kindling and paper farther back still.
Why does my stored wood hiss when it burns?
Hissing and steaming mean the wood still holds water. Either it was never fully seasoned, or poor storage let it soak up moisture again. That wood burns cool and builds creosote faster.
Does bark facing up really make a difference?
On the top layer it helps. Bark sheds water much like shingles do, while an exposed split face soaks up rain. Once the top is covered, the lower layers matter less.
How much firewood should I bring in at once?
About a day or two of burning. That keeps insects in the bark out of the house and keeps the indoor supply small enough to store safely away from the fire.
Published October 29, 2026