By Johnathan Mason, Ace Chimney Service.
More chimney problems trace back to the woodpile than to the chimney. Wet wood is the single biggest driver of creosote, poor draft, smoky rooms, and glass that blackens within an hour. The fix costs nothing but time, and August is exactly when that time is available. If you are buying wood for this winter in Oakwood Hills, buy it now.
What does seasoned firewood actually mean?
Seasoned means the wood has dried until its moisture content is below about 20 percent. Freshly cut wood can be half water by weight. Burning it means the fire spends its energy boiling that water off instead of producing heat, and the resulting cool, wet smoke condenses on the flue wall as creosote. Seasoning is not a matter of the wood sitting somewhere for a while. It is a matter of it being split, stacked, and given air.
How to season wood properly
- Split it first. Bark is designed to hold moisture in, and a round log dries very slowly.
- Stack it off the ground on pallets or rails so air moves underneath.
- Single rows with gaps between them beat a solid block pile.
- Cover the top only. A tarp over the sides traps moisture and undoes the whole exercise.
- Put it somewhere sunny and open to wind, not tight against the house.
- Give it a full year. Oak and other dense hardwoods often want closer to two.
How to tell if wood is dry
Dry wood is noticeably lighter than it looks, has cracks radiating from the end grain, and gives a sharp clack rather than a dull thud when two pieces are knocked together. The bark is loose or falling off. If you want certainty, an inexpensive moisture meter on a freshly split face settles it: split a piece, test the newly exposed inner surface, and look for under 20 percent. Testing the outside of a piece that has sat in the sun tells you nothing useful.
What wet wood costs you
Beyond the heat you paid for and did not get, wet wood accelerates creosote to the point where an annual sweep may not be enough, blackens glass and masonry, produces more smoke in the room on start-up, and shortens the life of a liner. It is the difference between the soft, brushable buildup we hope to find and the hard, glazed layer that needs chemical treatment. Our DIY chimney care page covers more of what you can do yourself between visits.
Getting the chimney ready in Oakwood Hills
Good wood and a clean flue work together; neither substitutes for the other. Ace Chimney Service handles chimney sweeping across Oakwood Hills and McHenry County seven days a week, 7 AM to 7 PM. 29 years, insured and bonded, price up front. Call (815) 320-0883.
Frequently asked questions
How long does firewood take to season?
Roughly a year for most species when split and stacked properly. Dense hardwoods like oak often need closer to two.
Is kiln-dried wood worth the extra cost?
It is reliably dry, which removes the guesswork, and it stores in a smaller space. Whether the premium is worth it depends on how much you burn and whether you have room to season your own.
Can I season wood in one summer?
Softer species split small, stacked in full sun and wind, sometimes get there in a single season. Oak will not.
Which wood burns best?
Dense hardwoods such as oak, hickory, ash, and hard maple give the most heat per load, but any species burns well if it is dry. Dryness matters more than species.
What should never go in the fireplace?
Treated or painted lumber, plywood, particleboard, driftwood, cardboard, wrapping paper, and anything plastic. They release corrosive or toxic compounds and some burn far hotter than the flue is rated for.
Should I store firewood in the house?
Only a day or two of wood indoors. Larger indoor stacks bring in insects and, if the wood is not fully dry, moisture.
Does wood that got rained on go back to unseasoned?
No. Surface wetting dries out in a few dry days if the pile has airflow. It is prolonged ground contact and covered sides that cause real problems.
Do you serve Oakwood Hills and nearby towns?
Yes. We are based in Crystal Lake and serve Oakwood Hills, Cary, Lake in the Hills, Island Lake, and the wider McHenry County area seven days a week.
Published August 18, 2026