[ancosta]

I have a place in N. Woodstock NH, which has a VT Castings Resolute stove, circa 1979.

The installation of the stove does not meet fire code for several reasons. I am looking for someone who is a reputable wood stove tech who can advise me as to what needs to occur in order to make it legal/safe. Also if they could help with some/all of the remediation work that would be a plus.

I need to find someone sooner than later.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Stoneman]

I'm not a 'tech', but I may be able to help. I've been using stoves for almost 10 years now as my primary heat source and I've done all the installs myself, including metal chimneys that pass through floors & ceilings & eves...

[ancosta]

Originally posted by Stoneman
I'm not a 'tech', but I may be able to help. I've been using stoves for almost 10 years now as my primary heat source and I've done all the installs myself, including metal chimneys that pass through floors & ceilings & eves...

Really...nice!

The joint btwn the stove and the stovepipe is broken. My brother did some type of hack job on it years ago, and I want to replace it. It is a deadly hazard IMHO. That part seems easy enough to do with some instruction.

The bigger problem is the place has an out of code installation. I do not think that the chimney configuration is legal. As a matter of fact a stove/sweeper came in to clean it, told us basically "can't touch this it is so out of code".

The installation is not an issue to me, it has run perfectly for 20 years and we have had the stove cooking hot. However we want to sell the place someday so I'd like to get it straightened out so it is not a problem for a buyer.

I would totally take you up on the offer to help with replacing the stovepipe. Let me do some more reasearch on it in the meantime so I know what i am getting myself into. Any suggestions are much appreciated as well Thanks

[Stoneman]

Ya gotta be a bit more specific...

Also, you can pick up a chimney brush for short change at most stove shops...

[rebelpacket]

Yea.... is there double-walled piping on the areas where it goes through the wall, or runs past stringers? How tall is the chimney?

I'm putting one in now, so I've got all the code stuff virtually memorized. Its not all that complicated to put one in, but you've got to make sure you have everything covered.

[ancosta]

The pics are worth a 1000 words (not good ones in the case of this stove pipe hack job)

http://www.andrewcosta.com/gallery/m...odStovePhotos/

[Stoneman]

First, you DO NOT cement the joint. Code is 3 self-tapping sheet metal screws, I use 4...

Then, a thimble through the wall is NOT against code. You need to have at least 2" space from combustables, I go for 4-6". You DO need a double-walled thimbel if it's going through combustables (wood), but it seems that it's going through brick (non combustable). Can't really tell by the other pic what's on the other side...

You WILL need double-wall for anything outside or anything on the other side of that wall...

You can tell if it's double-wall simply by touching it. When the stove's up to temp, you should be able to hold your hand on the chimney for a short amount of time, unlike the stove pipe coming out of the stove...

Also, ANYTHING combustable should be AT LEAST 3' from the stove. AT LEAST...

Eh, fuck it. When ya gonna be up there next? I'd like to take me a good look at it. Then I'll tell ya what I'd do. Gimme a week or two notice though. And it wouldn't hurt to have some adult beverages around. I WILL work for good tequila...

[Stoneman]

BTW-It probably won't be as difficult as it seems to fix this mess. The silver pipe looks like old double-wall. The black stove pipe is cheap as hell. I've got the snips & crimpers. Going by the pics, you'll hafta pick up a coupla 3' sections of pipe and a coupla adjustable elbows along with some 1/4" self-tapping sheet metal screws. All in all, less than $30...

The asshat that did that is a total, complete moron...

[Stoneman]

The only reason I can see that joint spilling smoke is cuz it's just not right. I'd bet he's either got the wrong end going into the stove flue or he didn't know he could crimp the end of the pipe, or both. That's normally wunna the least likely places for spillage...

[ancosta]

Hey man, thanks for looking at those pics.

You name your tequila and I'll bring a gigantic bottle of it....straight up otherwise that's fine with me....!

The original 'asshat' is my dad, he is so un-asshat although I could digress for 10 minutes about how peculiar his work is albeit usually flawless.

The recent AssHat is my brother, who more than qualfies for the term. (Apparently he didn't get the tradesman gene from dad) I am guessing that the cement is supposed to go INSIDE the joint, i.e. you use it not unlike any other cement? He basically bukakked the whole stove pipe with cement, but didn't put any in the joint.

The brick you see is plastic paneling. Very combustible, that is the big concern with bringing it up to code. I have had that stove pushing 4 digits without any issues of heat and that wall, but it's not code-ready. I am very concerned with the stove pipe though.

You tell me when you want to come by and I will make it my point to be here. I will get whatever materials are needed in advance as much as we can plan for it. Ashland lumber is down the road and I think my local Abuchaun hardware stocks stove materials also.

I might be coming here this weekend, but again you name the time that is best for you...me and Don Tequila will be in the house.....the tools you have will be a big plus also. I am fully stocked with tools sans anything stove related except tin snips....

[Stoneman]

Originally posted by ancosta
The original 'asshat' is my dad,

Oh SHIT!!! I thought about that on my way home...

'...wonder if HE'S the asshat...' '...wonder if his good friend did that...'

HA! Sorry 'bout that, bro...

[Stoneman]

Oh, and there's absolutely NO need for cement. I've never seen it used with a woodstove before. I've done four set-ups now and I've never even thought about using it. This is a first...

[RandyO]

Originally posted by Stoneman
Oh, and there's absolutely NO need for cement. I've never seen it used with a woodstove before. I've done four set-ups now and I've never even thought about using it. This is a first...

+1 on the cement first time I've seen it too

my wood furnace in on a masonry chimney, and I replace the stovepipe between the furnace & the chimney every year when I clean the chimney

stovepipe is cheap and easier to replace than to clean

[ancosta]

OK I am going to do myself some good ol readin' up on the topic.

The cement seemed a bit odd to me too. I wouldn't be suprised if I am looking at portland cement spooged all over the stovepipe at this point.

Thanks for the ideas...also Stoneman no harm/foul on the asshat comment. Like I said my dad is very particular but incredible in trades, my brother is a great person but also total momo who should be banned from using tools.

[Stoneman]

Nice, clean seam...

[Stoneman]

Each section of pipe goes into the next, starting at the stove. The only exception to this is the first piece of stove pipe. Ya gotta crimp an end on that first piece...

[Stoneman]

I removed the black decorative ring. Haven't found one I really like yet, so I'll leave it 'til I do. Notice the screws and how each succesive piece of pipe goes INTO the next...

Also notice NO cement! As long as it sticks 3-4" into that thimble, you're good...

[Stoneman]

We have masonry around the thimble. But you can get the double-wall metal thimbles too that don't require that. This is the 'other' side of that brick hearth. It's actually the clean-out closet for our chimney...

[Stoneman]

In this shot, you can see how far the masonry is extended around the thimble...

[Stoneman]

Looking up from the clean-out closet. You buy those little collars and it'll insure that you get the proper clearance, Clarance. They'll also help give it support. They sell angled ones and adjustable ones so you can properly fit 'em to pitched surfaces...

[ancosta]

Many thanks to Stoneman for making the trek up north and helping out. The work came out fantastic, I learned quite a bit, and am looking forward to firing it up very soon....!

[Stoneman]

No problem, man. It was my pleasure. Nice meeting you clowns too...

Other than the spunk job on the stove pipe and the lack of clearance of the stove, I can't see what the dickhead's problem was. Under supervision, I'd have no problems burning in that...