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SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION LOG
PROGRESS
REPORT:
October 18, 2005:
Installing stove pipe for a wood stove backup
After looking at the latest Farmers
Almanac, and the rising propane prices I have decided that it will be prudent to
install a wood burning stove as a backup heat source. If the power fails
for more than a day I would be without heat, and when it gets very cold and
cloudy my heating system relies entirely on propane which gets expensive! I did a LOT of research and talked to 2 builders about how to run a metal chimney through a roof. They told me to use Metalbestos stove pipe for the flue, this stuff is insulated to prevent fires. I found that I could order all the parts I needed from my local ACE hardware store. There is a very useful Installation Guide that I found on the Metalbestos site that helped me figure out exactly what parts I needed, it also guides you through the whole installation process. I began with a big pile of cool looking stainless and aluminum parts on the floor of my workshop. I started the installation by cutting a
hole in the 1st floor and framing it in for the finish support. This part
needs to be securely mounted as it takes the entire weight of the chimney, which
can be substantial. I will need 16 feet of double walled Metalbestos pipe
in 3 ft lengths.
It was too dark by the time I had the stove pipe installed to photograph it, here it is the next day. I hadn't noticed that I had the storm collar installed off kilter - oh well. I put a bead of high quality silicone around the top of the flashing. In theory the top of the pipe should be at least 10 feet from the nearest part of the roof, I'm not sure I achieved that, but it looks safe to me.
Update: A few years later after contending with downdrafts when the wind was blowing from the east, I added another 3ft. of pipe. This has helped a lot. The other rule of thumb is that the top of the chimney should be 3ft above the highest part of the roof. Well, now I'm about even, but well over 10ft. from the ridge.
Back
inside on the next day, I framed, insulated and drywalled the corner of my
office that the pipe passes through. |