Storing Firewood in Basement

[HillStreet]

I have a combination wood and coal stove. I have 3 tons of coal stockpiled in the basement (in bags) already. I was thinking about storing 2 or 3 cords of firewood in the basement too. Would bugs be a problem if I do that, I am thinking it could be there 3 or 4 years. I suppose the reason is that I am 67 and in the event of a health problem I could heat for a while without doing much work. Does anybody do this?

 

[ruffdog]

When I was young, we had a woodstove in the basement that heated the whole house. We would throw trailer loads through the little window and then stack it down there. We were always careful separating the "anty" wood that had the big black ants in it so that wood was burned right when it was carried in. Throwing the wood in knocked any bugs free and we would sweep up all the debris and toss it in the stove.

 

[TnAndy]

Been storing ours in the basement for 30+ years and never had a bug issue. It is stored in sheds outside after cut/split for 1-2yrs, then we move it to the basement usually in early fall. Many years, there is a cord or so leftover we don't use that year, and it sits there until the next re-stocking.

Pic has about 5 cords:

 

[farmeratheart]

We burn about 4 full cord of wood a year. The current season’s wood is stored in a woodshed about 200’ from the house. I bring a 2 day supply to the house with the FEL. When it is raining or snowing or the ground is too soft I burn from the cord stored in the basement. Been doing it for almost 20 years.

 

[kco]

I heat with wood using 5 to 6 full cords per year. I store no more than 5 to 7 days' wood at a time in the basement and rotate it so none sits more than 4 or 5 days. I do not store wood in or next to the house outside of the heating season. Long term storage will most likely lead to bug problems and mouse problems.

I am 10 years older than you and went through the same thoughts a few years ago. I've made changes over the last few years to keep the work manageable. The first project involved eliminate having to move the wood down 13 steps. It involved removing 5' of my deck paralleling those steps, cutting a hole through the concrete wall, putting in a wood chute, and pouring a sidewalk to it along the space freed-up by removing part of the deck. There was a ready-made alcove to receive the wood below the chute but it contained the water pressure tank and water heater. So these were relocated to another corner of the furnace room. The existing basement stairs had a roof but I replaced it with a larger one covering the new sidewalk north of the stairs, the stairs, and a main sidewalk south of the stairs.

I had storage for 2 full years' of wood but built another 20' x 30' pole shed to allow me to store another year's wood plus the tractor with pull-type snowblower and other equipment.

My original wood storage is about 100' from the wood chute and on level ground so I could use my 2 wheeled hand cart to get it to the wood chute. The new shed is 300' from the chute with a fairly steep uphill section. My original plan was to use my pallet forks to move large pallets of wood on dollies to the covered deck and roll it to the chute. I experimented with that this year. It was just possible but I knew I would eventually wreck something on the house. So this fall I bought an electric hand truck from Princess Auto ($800 cdn). It works perfectly and can be moved all the way to the wood chute.

Here are some photos:

1. testing moving with tractor:



2. Wood cart, stairs, sidewalks, deck, wood chute:



We have made other changes and will dream up more so that, given reasonable health, we'll go out of here feet-first when the time comes.

But, no, I don't think it is a good idea to store wood in your basement.

Cheers

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have been planning and working toward storing wood in a concrete fruit cellar. But I think I have to make ventilation changes. This can be a hassle as outdoor humidity and dew points are always changing. Storing firewood in a garage is great if you have the room to spare.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I heat with wood using 5 to 6 full cords per year. I store no more than 5 to 7 days' wood at a time in the basement and rotate it so none sits more than 4 or 5 days. I do not store wood in or next to the house outside of the heating season. Long term storage will most likely lead to bug problems and mouse problems.

I am 10 years older than you and went through the same thoughts a few years ago. I've made changes over the last few years to keep the work manageable. The first project involved eliminate having to move the wood down 13 steps. It involved removing 5' of my deck paralleling those steps, cutting a hole through the concrete wall, putting in a wood chute, and pouring a sidewalk to it along the space freed-up by removing part of the deck. There was a ready-made alcove to receive the wood below the chute but it contained the water pressure tank and water heater. So these were relocated to another corner of the furnace room. The existing basement stairs had a roof but I replaced it with a larger one covering the new sidewalk north of the stairs, the stairs, and a main sidewalk south of the stairs.

I had storage for 2 full years' of wood but built another 20' x 30' pole shed to allow me to store another year's wood plus the tractor with pull-type snowblower and other equipment.

My original wood storage is about 100' from the wood chute and on level ground so I could use my 2 wheeled hand cart to get it to the wood chute. The new shed is 300' from the chute with a fairly steep uphill section. My original plan was to use my pallet forks to move large pallets of wood on dollies to the covered deck and roll it to the chute. I experimented with that this year. It was just possible but I knew I would eventually wreck something on the house. So this fall I bought an electric hand truck from Princess Auto ($800 cdn). It works perfectly and can be moved all the way to the wood chute.

Here are some photos:

1. testing moving with tractor:

View attachment 635610

2. Wood cart, stairs, sidewalks, deck, wood chute:

View attachment 635611 View attachment 635612 View attachment 635613

We have made other changes and will dream up more so that, given reasonable health, we'll go out of here feet-first when the time comes.

But, no, I don't think it is a good idea to store wood in your basement.

Cheers

Looks like your dog may be able to bring the wood in for you. Lol. Albeit one piece at a time.

 

[Deere Dude]

I always seemed to get ants of some sort in wood and was very aggravated by it. Finally I started spraying the insecticide BIFEN I/T on it after each row. Spray lightly with a two gallon sprayer. Since then no bugs or spiders. In a house I definitely would spray the stack.

 

[HillStreet]

I always seemed to get ants of some sort in wood and was very aggravated by it. Finally I started spraying the insecticide BIFEN I/T on it after each row. Spray lightly with a two gallon sprayer. Since then no bugs or spiders. In a house I definitely would spray the stack.

I have Biden I/T already. I just may do that but will season the wood two years first. Not the least bit offended.

 

[Thomas]

I keep 3-4 cords in my basement but don't bring it in until first Nov. because of most insects,and no wood left in basement come warm weather.
Notice your wood split thinner than mine and to let your wood set 3-4 years your wood maybe dry out to much to get the heat.