Chimney 101: Where and When to use Chimney Pipe

What is chimney pipe anyway? Let's break it down and go through the basics of where and when chimney pipe is used in your home with our Director of Sales National Accounts, Brian Barclay.
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DuraPlus Chimney is a triple-wall, all-fuel chimney for use with wood stoves, fireplaces, furnaces, boilers, stoves, ranges, water heaters, or other appliances fueled by wood, oil, coal, or gas.
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[@usmcscout0311]

I have the duraplus brand. Where the horizontal T portion meets the vertical, it leaks along the factory seam. Is this common? Should I silicone that? I wouldn't be to concerned but it weeps and follows the pipe into the cabin and leaks a little. Note-the exterior thimble was sealed with high temp silicone around the pipe and regular silicon where thimble meets exterior wall (T-111).

[@VeinsDeLAlfaz]

Thank you, this basic insight would have helped me a lot….still not too late…as I can reopen the roof and get a better pipe in. Suggestion: pipe/chimney inside diameter. Consequences if deviating from this basic rule.

[@nevinsparkinson3913]

Imagine drinking a milkshake through a narrow straw. To small a pipe, and you restrict the flow. If the chimney is of normal height, and thus normal draft, your stove will perform poorly. If you use an oversized pipe, the exhaust will expand which allows cooling. It also flows through the vent slower since the incoming air supply is restricted. This results in creosote formation.

[@VeinsDeLAlfaz]

That’s kind and helpful insight which you’re providing. Follow on question: for a 19kw pellet stove with 80 mm outlet: at sea level, what’s the best (inner) size of the pipe: the 2.5metre inside the house single walled at 80, and outside the flat roof 1.5 metre double walled with 100mm, plus an anti-wind/rain-hood?

[@blackout7615]

What if I just use the triple or double wall outdoor rated product both inside and outside from stove to chimney cap?

[@nevinsparkinson3913]

You need to use chimney pipe starting where it goes through the wall or ceiling. You can use it closer to the stove, but it is more expensive than connector pipe. For that reason most people don't start the chimney pipe until they are within 18" of combustibles with single-wall connector, or 6" with DVL.

[@user-mj9im5lt8z]

Do both the triple wall and double wall connect to the same "Up kit"?

[@nevinsparkinson3913]

They are not interchangeable. You needs to use all components of Duraplus or DuraTech.

[@mindfulwhimAnimation]

They probably don't answer these questions because of potential liability concerns for the company. Additionally, local building codes can differ from county to county or state to state. Lastly, there is not really "one best way" to install these, so they are surely counting on a permitted contractor to install this per state regs. They will sell the unit to homeowners, but if you can't figure these problems out in a way that is safe and meets code, then it's likely best if you hire a qualified installer. Do some reading and a little research coupled with some (uncommon) sense and you'll be fine.🙃

[@scotthooper1800]

I'm not an expert, but what did millions of households use hundreds of years before the shinny, pretty OMG YOU BETTER NOT USE ANY OTHER PRODUCT BUT MINE came along? Minimum $1,000 to use what the "experts" say. About $175.00 and some common sense will do the same thing.

[@sineater1572]

Sad but true...

[@nevinsparkinson3913]

The current rate of death associated with chimney fires in the US is very low. What "they" used to do was die in home fires caused by inadequate venting systems. They tried to limit the incidence of chimney fires by making little boys climb up the chimney by sticking pins in their feet if they were to slow. The normal life expectancy of a chimney sweep back then was less than 22 years. (They died from "soot wart" The first reported kind of occupational cancer.)