Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 07, 1999 06:09pm | #1

   *
   Gary,

   You're gonna have a tough time getting this one by the building inspector and fire marshall. Code probably requires inspection by the fire marshall, and he's gonna wanna see a dedicated flue. If he doesn't signoff, the insurance company isn't gonna stand behind you. They've got you by the shorthairs on this one.

   Brian

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 07, 1999 06:26pm | #2

   *If you have a fireplace you can do what I did, cut a hole into the smoke chamber above the damper then run your stovepipe into the smoke chamber. I did this 15 years ago and everything still works well to this day. At the time the building inspector said it was one of the better installations he had seen. Remember to have the chimney cleaned every season. You will have to have a seperate flue for the stove. Otherwise you get a kinds of nasty draft problems. Maybe combine water heater with the furnace and use the other for the stove.good luckHave you hugged your woodstove today?

2. 
   Keith_Utter | Feb 07, 1999 07:32pm | #3

   *
   Gary, Not only is this a code violation but also unsafe and dangerous. Invest in a proper installation and enjoy the many benefits of burning wood. Good Luck, Keith

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 07, 1999 09:10pm | #4

   *
   There might be enough room in the old flue to run separte metal flues - b-vent for the gas and the triple wall stainless stuff for the wood.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 07, 1999 11:15pm | #5

   *Sir,The theory behind separate flues for woodstoves is as follows:1. In the event of a chimney fire; if you shut the air off at the stove to put it out, air will still come in through the draft hoods on furnace and H2O heater - fire will burn uncontrolled.2. Significant creosote/fly ash accumulation could block thimble openings for gas appliances and cause them to backvent into the home. I have seen this several times myself.I second the idea to use a separate flue for the woodstove.

4. 
   Gary_Lamm | Feb 08, 1999 06:21am | #6

   *
   Dear Bear,

   Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I guess that I will forgo the expense of a wood stove, and opt for a new kerosene heater instead. The whole idea was to have a back up source of heat for next winter, should the power go out.

5. 
   Guest_ | Feb 08, 1999 07:06am | #7

   *
   Gary, having just experienced a four-day power outage here in Virginia, I can appreciate your concerns. Since you have a gas furnace, you might want to consider a generator, which can not only energize your heating plant, but can serve other functions as well. Ask an electrician to assist you in determining your genreator size, and have him install the proper connection panel in your home. Generator hook-up to home wiring is best left to the pros. Glad to hear you're scrapping the stove/chimney plans. Steve

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 04, 1999 07:55am | #9

   *Just to throw another log in the fire: the chemicals deposited in a chimney from gas react with those of wood to deteriate the chimney lining.

6. 
   Gary_Lamm | Mar 04, 1999 07:55am | #8

   *
   Any ideas on what to look out for in installing a wood burning stove using your existing chimney to tie into?

   The chimney currently is serving a gas hot water heater and gas furnance located in the basement. The proposed location of the wood stove would be on the first floor above the furnace and hotwater heater.

   The house was built in the mid 40's, and the chimney is the original one. It goes up through the center of the house, and extends above the ridge of the roof. It is constructed of masonry.

   I would like to drill or cut into the side of the chimney where it passes through the living room, and tie the chimney from the wood stove into it. Has anyone done this before, and what are the pitfalls to watch out for?

   Thanks for your time!