Now that Summer is here it’s easy to forget all about your stove. It has done its job and now stands fore lawn until the autumn. When you come to use the stove again; what a pain to clean it up; the stove is full of ash, even the controls are still in position that it was last run in. Follow some simply steps and have your stove ready for when the evenings turn chilli.
Prevention is better than cure
Here are some simple things you can do to prevent damage occurring to the stove when not in use for a long period of time.
- Remove all ash and tars from within the stove. An ash vac is the perfect tool for this job.
- Arrange for a qualified chimney sweep to clean your chimney. It is easy to forget to do this and trying to get a chimney sweep in the autumn will not be as easy as in the early summer when there is less demand on their time. It also means your stove and flue are all ready for the next heating season. A good sweep will remove the baffles, fire bricks and vacuum out all of the accumulated ash.
- Remove the baffle from within the stove as fly ash and fallen soot can build up behind these.
- Carefully remove all the fire bricks or cast iron protection plates from within the stove, the grate and the grate frame, if this is possible.
- Again vacuum out all the ash that accumulates behind these parts.
- Spray the inside of the stove and any metal parts removed with a water repelling spray e.g. WD40.
- Also, spray with the water repelling spray any moving parts within the stove including door latches and door handle shafts.
- Check the condition of the door rope seals and glass seals and replace if damaged or they have become hard. It is vital for the efficient operation of the stove that a good airtight seal is maintained.
- If you have a stove with a painted finish, not enamelled, and this has become marked then now is the time to respray the body using paint supplied by the stove manufacturer which is in stock in our Banbury and Kidlington showrooms. Your stove will look as good as new ready for the next heating season.
- Remember when you first light the stove in the autumn to test the flue has not become blocked by nesting birds by lighting some newspaper and ensuring that all the smoke is drawn up the chimney.
How is this damage occurring?
When the outside temperature rise suddenly, the outside temperature may be greater than within the house. This causes the air within the flue to reverse its normal flow pattern and air travels down the flue. Initially there maybe a smell from the flue and whilst this is not harmful it may be unpleasant. This air will contain moisture and it is this moisture dropping into the stove which is the main cause of the damage. Metal within the stove will cool this water vapour and it will condense on the exposed surface.
In most cases cast iron or steel are the main component of a stove and rust may form. Mixing this water with the ash and tar left in a stove produces various corrosive substances. The porous firebricks will absorb moisture and can become a breeding ground for bacteria and algae which can enjoy living in the bricks and they in turn produce their own waste which can damage the bricks. A little care and maintenance will increase the longevity of the stove and save you money.
