What You Should Know About Rocks That Are Safe for Fire Pits
There’s nothing quite like a fire to bring people together. It can be a wonderful bonding experience that allows family and friends, both old and new, to join together and enjoy something that humans have experienced for thousands of years. An indoor fireplace is a wonderful gathering spot in the colder months, but an outdoor fire pit is a great option for warmer months in places that experience cooler evenings.
The team at Langenfeld Masonry & Concrete has been helping our community members build the fire features of their dreams for well over a century, and when we hear about customers who might want to go the DIY route for rock fire pits in Racine, WI, there’s some advice we’ve picked up over the years that we like to share.
General tips for fire pit safety
There are a number of things that we encourage our customers to keep in mind when considering the safety of stone fire pits in Racine, WI. You want to make sure you’re choosing a spot that’s well away from any structure, as sparks can travel quite a bit further than you might initially expect. Along similar lines, you want to make sure there’s no dead brush, wooden fencing or dried bushes anywhere in the vicinity of your pit.
Additionally, you might want to consider investing in a liner for your fire pit, as the roots underneath it can actually smolder and catch on fire. Keeping flammable objects away from your fire pit might sound like obvious advice, but it’s something that you really want to watch out for.
Why does rock selection matter?
The selection of materials for rock fire pits in Racine, WI is much more significant than people might believe. Rocks can actually explode if they’re subjected to the right conditions—namely, the extreme heat that can come along with a pit that’s had enough roaring fires in it. Porous and wet rocks are the biggest offenders of this phenomenon, as the water and air that’s trapped within them can quickly heat up, expand and eventually explode. As a result, your best bet is to work with materials that are as dense as possible and won’t allow these conditions to develop in the first place.
What types of rocks are best?
Our experienced team members know that there are certain rocks that fare much better than others. You want to look for the densest rocks that you can find—slate, granite and marble are some of our recommended choices, as they don’t allow moisture and air to penetrate them. Materials like sandstone, limestone, river rocks and pumice should be avoided due to their porous composition.
Rock fire pits in Racine, WI are a great way to get loved ones together for a pleasant evening roasting marshmallows, having a drink or just relaxing. If you’d like to avoid the DIY route and have the professionals put together a fire pit that will last you for years to come, give Langenfeld Masonry & Concrete a call any time for an estimate and consultation.
Categorised in: Fire Pits