Top 5 Mistakes Canadians Make When Storing Firewood

So, you’ve got your firewood, ready for cozy nights by the fire… but somehow your logs just won’t cooperate. They’re wet, moldy, or won’t catch no matter what you do. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Here’s the top mistakes Canadians make when storing firewood and how to fix them.

1. Piling Logs Right on the Ground

Sure, it’s easy to just stack them on the grass or dirt, but in Canada, snow, rain, and frost sneak in and soak your logs. Wet logs = smoky fires that take forever to light.

Fix it: Use pallets, cinder blocks, or a simple rack. Just a few inches off the ground can save your fire (and your sanity).

2. Leaning the Pile Against Your House

It might seem handy, but leaning logs against your house traps moisture and blocks airflow. Mold loves that.

Fix it: Keep at least a foot between your stack and any walls. Airflow = happy logs.

3. Wrapping Everything in a Tarp

Think covering the whole pile keeps it dry? Not in Canada. You end up trapping snow melt and rain, turning your logs into a soggy mess.

Fix it: Cover just the top and leave the sides open. Let wind and sun do the work.

4. Forgetting About Snow Loads

Ontario winters can be brutal. A pile that’s not stacked well can collapse under heavy snow or ice, suddenly your logs are everywhere, and your back is not happy.

That said… some years we barely get any snow at all. Honestly, we could use a little more white stuff to feel like winter,  just maybe not enough to crush your carefully stacked wood!

Fix it: Stack on a solid base, angle slightly for water runoff, and check the pile after heavy snowfalls (or when it finally comes!).

5. Ignoring Airflow

Squished stacks = trapped moisture. Mold, fungus, and unhappy logs are the result.

Fix it: Stack loosely, leave some gaps between rows, and let the wind circulate. Easy peasy.

The Bottom Line

Storing firewood doesn’t need to be complicated, but Canadian weather can make it tricky. Avoid these mistakes and your logs will burn hotter, cleaner, and faster.

At Durham Firewood, we make sure our wood is seasoned and ready, so you can just grab a drink, light a fire, and relax.

Thanks for letting us bring the good wood to your home!