QA

Quick Answer: How To Install A Wood Stove Chimney

What type of chimney do I need for a wood stove?

A prefabricated metal chimney unit may be the best choice for wood stoves or fireplaces in these homes. Prefabricated chimneys are easier to erect than masonry units, and although materials cost more, total unit cost will be nearly the same.

Does a wood stove chimney have to go straight up?

A wood stove pipe must be as short and straight as possible. At the least, 80% of it must be vertical. If it is so important, one or two 90˚ angles, at most, can be made part of the structure. The horizontal part should not rise more than a quarter from the linear foot.

How big should chimney flue be?

The area of the flue should be roughly 1/12th the size of the opening area. If the flue is too small, the fireplace will smoke. In this case, the taller the chimney the better – chimneys that are too short will cause draw issues.

Should I have a damper in my stove pipe?

Newer models of wood stove don’t typically require a damper. A damper was traditionally used on older, less efficient, models of stove to help reduce the flow of air leaving the firebox. Certified modern stoves meet stringent regulations and typically won’t need a damper to perform well.

Why do chimneys have a bend in them?

The hotter the temperature inside the flue, the more efficiently gases will be conducted up and out of the house. Bends, or offsets, in the flue can retard the steady outflow of gases. They also interfere with the flow of oxygen through the chimney to the fire.

Can you horizontally vent a wood stove?

Venting is an important component of all stoves. And wood, gas, and pellet stoves have different venting systems. For instance, wood-burning stoves will always be vented through the roof of your house, but pellet-burning stoves can be vented vertically through the roof, or horizontally through the wall to the outdoors.

Do chimneys need a bend?

There must be no bends greater than 45 degrees and there must be no more than four bends in the chimney. If you are using four bends then you must have a soot door between the second and third bend (Building Regs).

What is the 2 10 rule?

A chimney must project at least 3 feet above the roof on its shortest side and also be at least 2 feet above any roof structure that is within a 10 foot radius of the chimney. That’s it. Following this simple rule helps to ensure other structures on the roof do not interfere with the exhaustion of combustion gases.

Can a chimney be too big?

If it is too big, it may draw too slowly for the appliance, and may never heat up enough to compensate. For this reason, both flue undersizing and flue oversizing should be avoided. If your chimney is too big, install a masonry or stainless steel flue liner that has the same CSA as the vent opening on the appliance.

Can a flue be too big?

When a flue is too big, the chimney can be too cold. Cold chimneys make keeping a fire lit more difficult. They also lead to condensation and possible mold inside the chimney brickwork. They key to making and keeping a great draft in your fireplace is making sure the proper sized flue is installed.

Where should a stove pipe damper be installed?

A damper is usually located approximately 12 to 18 inches from the stove, prior to the spot where the pipe exits into a chimney, if present. The damper retains heat that escapes up the chimney or flue. It allows this heat to dissipate into the area being heated by the woodstove.

When should you dampen a wood stove?

Reduce the damper to between one-fourth and halfway open to maintain heat for a larger home. If the damper is more than halfway open there will be too much airflow to produce heat, but it will keep a flame raging and consuming wood.

Can you redirect a chimney?

You need permission to alter a working chimney. Alterations need to be done by someone who understands chimneys. Speak to the Council before doing anything.

How many elbows can you have in a wood stove pipe?

In a stovepipe set up, never use more than two 90o elbows. The chimney will not draw well if you do. A straight pipe is easier to clean.

What is chimney soot?

Chimney soot is fine black or dark brown powder formed due to incomplete combustion of wood or coal in a confined place. When fuel like wood, or charcoal burns, it breaks down and deposits itself as a powdery dust called soot.

Can you pipe a wood stove out the side of your house?

If you’re setting up a wood-burning stove or pellet stove, running the chimney pipe through an outside wall saves the time and costs of installing a vertical chimney that requires a ceiling collar and roof flashing. For brick or stone walls, enlist a professional to cut the holes.

How far away from the wall does a wood stove need to be?

Wood frame walls covered with dry wall are considered combustible. If no wall protection is used, the common radiant-type stove or heater must be spaced out at least 36 inches from the wall. This distance may be reduced considerably if asbestos millboard and/or 28 gage sheet metal is used for wall protection.

How far can you run a wood stove pipe?

Maximum overall length of straight pipe: 3 m (10 ft.) The assembly should be as short and direct as possible between the stove and chimney. The use of two 45 degree elbows is often preferable to a single 90 degree elbow because less turbulence is created in the exhaust flow and they result in less horizontal run.

How tall does my wood stove chimney need to be?

The most common of these being the 2 foot, 10 foot, 3-foot rule. Roughly this means that a chimney should be 3 feet higher than the point it passes through a roof, while also being at least 2 feet taller than any part of a building that’s within 10 feet of the chimney.

Can I install a chimney liner yourself?

Yes it can – and will! While having your chimney liner professionally installed can be more convenient but ends up being costly, averaging anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000. With our DIY Chimney Liner Kits you will have all the components needed to reline your chimney and you wont break the bank!Jun 22, 2020.

Can two wood stoves share a chimney?

Excerpts: NFPA 211 (Section 9.8) prohibits the interconnection of solid fuel-burning appliances into any chimney serving another appliance. Meaning: No combination of fuel-gas, oil-fired, or additional wood, wood pellet, coal or corn stoves may be vented into the same chimney flue as a solid fuel-burning appliance.