Mouldy logs in a store: find the moisture trap

Mould is a symptom of persistent damp conditions. Fix the water source and airflow before arguing about the appearance of individual logs.

Empty enough to inspect

Wear suitable gloves and avoid creating dust. Remove affected pieces to an airy covered area, then inspect the floor, back corners and roof underside. Look for blocked slats, leaf litter, direct soil contact, a leaking joint or a plastic cover lying on the stack.

Anyone with respiratory sensitivity should avoid handling mouldy material and seek appropriate professional advice if exposure is a concern.

Correct the store

Clear debris beneath the floor, restore the wall gap, repair runoff and reopen covered faces. Replace rotten structural members rather than hiding them behind a liner. Restack loosely once the structure is sound.

Decide whether a log is ready by moisture, not colour

Surface appearance alone does not establish moisture through the piece. Split a representative log and measure the fresh face. In England, the official advice is not to burn until moisture content is 20% or less.

Do not burn visibly decayed, contaminated, painted or treated waste timber. This site covers ordinary clean firewood storage; disposal questions should go to the local authority.

Sources

• GOV.UK customer notice for larger-volume firewood sales — fresh-split-face measurement and 20% guidance, checked 10 November 2026.