How to connect Stove Pipe to Wood Stove? (User’s Guide)

Many of the wood stove users are not familiar with how to connect their stove pipe. It is a tricky job, but there are few simple tricks that will make this process easier. We’ve gathered some tips and tricks for you in this guide on how to connect stove pipe to your wood stove.

Wood stoves are great for heating your home during the cold winter months, but if you want to have a good time using it then you need to know how to connect stove pipe. Luckily, this article will guide you through the process of connecting stove pipe with your wood stove so that you can stay warm all winter long!

Where to find the Pipe?

First, you should find the Stove Pipe. This is usually found near your Wood Stove or Fireplace. You can also contact a local hardware store to ask where they are located in case yours does not have one on site.

Stove Pipe is usually made from stainless steel or galvanized metal. Stainless Steel uses a higher grade material and it has a polished finish, which will ensure that your smoke will not turn black after use. Galvanized pipes have been coated with zinc to prevent rusting, but they are less expensive than the stainless steel option.

How to cut and install Stove Pipe?

Now that you have bought the stove pipe, it is time to cut and install them. In order to do this, follow these steps:

Measure your old flue or find its size in a catalog of parts for wood stoves.
Cut new lengths using tin snips or a saw so they fit properly inside each other and can be inserted through existing holes without difficulty. Remember not to close off any gas lines by cutting too much out! Leave some extra length if possible (about 18 inches) when measuring since there will always be shrinkage after installation due to heating up the metal with firebox exhaust gasses over time. Also remember that fresh air intake needs must pass freely around of pipes where they exit damper.
Insert pipe sections together by inserting one flue or stovepipe into another so that they fit snugly without too much gap between them, unless the manufacturer’s specifications show otherwise. It is recommended to use pastic ducting tape to ensure a tight seal and prevent drafts from entering through any small spaces where pipes join each other (or your home). Using sheet metal screws can also be helpful in fixing all pieces tightly together. To avoid rusting problems, leave about ¼ inch of space for ventilation at top connection joints if you are not using screws to keep it airtight.
Stove Pipe Sizes: The size of a stove pipe is determined by the width and height of its opening. This measurement should be taken from inside edge to inside edge in order to determine which stovepipe configuration will work for your woodburning appliance. Oddly shaped openings or round chimney outlets may require additional parts such as elbows, boots, tees, thimbles (elbows add turbulence), etc., depending on how much they diverge off axis.
Stove Pipe Length: The length of each section needs to extend at least two feet above the topmost part of your woodfired heating device and one foot beyond all vertical walls within ten feet before connecting with another run (i.e., an elbow).
More Examples: If it is a twostory house, increase each length by another ten feet. If the stove is on ground level and there are no vertical walls within 20 feet of it, you can get away with six foot sections.

What tools you will need for Pipe Installation?

Pipe cutter and a hacksaw for cutting the pipe to length.
A rubber mallet is also handy for seating fittings onto the stovepipe.
A muffler brush or wire brush is used for cleaning soot buildup on the stovepipe.
Asbestos cement tape which you will use to seal joints in metal pipe.
You should also have a pair of protective gloves, safety goggles and long sleeve clothing while working with stovepipes.
A pipe wrench is used to tighten the fittings on metal or cast iron stovepipes.
You may also need a pair of pliers, putty knife and Teflon tape for sealing joints in metal pipes. The step by step installation process will be discussed further but you should get an idea about tools required before starting with it!

Safety precautions when working with Stove Pipes

Always wear eye protection when working with stove pipes.
Keep your hair, clothing and other loose articles away from the opening of any fireplace or wood burning appliance. Loose articles such as neckties, scarves and long sleeves can catch fire by coming too close to a heat source.
All stove pipes should have a cap on the top. This will prevent sparks from flying out of your chimney and catching something else on fire.
Stove pipes should not be connected to a chimney that is being used as an air return. You want the stove pipe to have its own separate opening in the side of your house, which will allow it to draw properly.
Stove pipe should only be attached to a masonry chimney. Any other type of material can catch fire easily.
When you connect stove pipes together, make sure the connection is airtight by using high temperature caulking or an approved gasket compound. Do not use duct tape as it will come loose over time and leave gaps that allow heat to escape up your chimney instead of through your appliance vent hood!

Connecting the vent and Chimney flue

Chimney flues are usually made of metal. The connecting piece between the stovepipe and chimney is called a thimble or tee fitting. This tee fitting connects to your flue liner, then the two sections of pipe connect together with an elbow at this point too – usually it’s another 90degree elbow.

If you have more than one section of venting (upstairs & downstairs for example), there will be additional elbows used in between each run. You may also use short lengths of straight pipe instead of angles/elbows if they are appropriate for the layout – again, consult installation instructions before installing any parts! These types would go inside wall cavities where possible rather than outside on roofs etc.

If you are connecting into an existing chimney, you should use a liner/snake that slides inside the flue. If it’s not feasible to get this type of liner up your secondary venting route (due to height restrictions etc), then you will need to install some other types of vents in order for your stove or boiler to function safely and legally. There are pros & cons but generally speaking these would be more suitable on lower heat appliances rather than higher ones – again consult installation instructions before installing any parts!

Installing a Damper for a Wood Stove or Insert

The damper for your wood stove will be either a round metal plate or an adjustable rectangular door that you can open to allow air into the firebox, and shut to cut off airflow. When building ventilation systems by yourself always follow local codes! You should check with your city inspector before installing any type of venting system on top of your home.

How To Measure Your Pipe Size?

When sizing the piping diameter consider how much heat will need to travel up through each section of metal at its longest pointlike when connecting two sections together in one long run inside the house. For example if you have an eight foot length of pipe between your woodstove entrance port on roof and first turn down (T connection) then you would need a total of eight feet divided in half (four foot length) for your two sections and then add the height you need to raise it off the ground.

The size piping required is determined by its “effective area”. For natural draft installations this effective area will be based on what we call square inches of opening; while for downdraft systems, heat rises so our unit of measure becomes cubic feet per minute. In both cases use these formulas: Effective Area = Opening Size x Length/Area Heat Loss Factor where Area Heat loss factor varies from .05.15 depending upon how well insulated or airtight your house happens to be.

Estimating Pipe DiameterSizing Chart – ‘s look at an example using the average customer house.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Stove pipe is installed as an extension to a wood burning fireplace. When there is no flue, you can use it like stovepipe chimney system without any direct connection with the furnace. However, this option has many limitations and needs lots of research before deciding on one for your home or business premises.

Connecting a metal stove pipe directly to a masonry firebox causes rapid rusting which could result in leaks and other problems over time. The best way around these issues is by connecting stovepipes indirectly – through brick flues – though they require more work than simply attaching them to the wall of the house or building where you want to install them having proper air flow inside that would ensure faster smoke dispersion.

Stovepipe installation basically requires that you dig a hole in the ground and place an elbowlike fitting inside it. You can then attach two straight sections of stovepipes to this elbow making sure they have been properly attached together with clamps, screws or rivets from outside so there is no leakage – even when wind blows through them at high speeds.

While one pipe should go up in order to connect to a chimney flue on top, another goes down in order to provide adequate air flow for smoke dispersion which usually happens via natural convection currents once set fire going within your fireplace. However, if these pipes are too long and not close enough to each other (which would happen when installing multiple sets of such underground pipes), they might require some sort of metal frame (called “stove pipe thimble”) in order to keep them properly attached and provide adequate air flow inside.

Safety Tips

Do not connect stovepipe to any gas line.
Do not use pipe with a closed end at the top of chimney, it must be open and free from sharp edges or obstructions that may damage surface of smoke shelf.
Be sure that all connections are tight and snug.
Do not allow stovepipe to pass through any combustible materials such as insulation, floors or ceilings.
Make sure that the distance between wood stove and chimney is at least three feet (one meter).
Install stovepipe with at least a three inch (75 millimeters) offset between the bottom of wood burning appliance and the top of draft hood.
Do not install stovepipe on combustible surfaces unless they are covered by at least one quarter inch thick metal sheeting which extends down onto fireproof surface for six inches around pipe, or equivalent material approved by authority having jurisdiction.
Sweep chimneys as needed to remove creosote buildup before operating woodstove in every heating season.

FAQs

Which types of Stove Pipe can be used?

The galvanized or stainless steel stove pipe has to be purchased according to the stack type and pluming code which will allow it to be connected easily without any hassle.

Do I need a special tool to install the stove pipe?

No, you don’t. A standard sheet metal screw will work just fine. The only thing that needs to be remembered is not go overboard with it and tighten them too much or else they might break off from their place.

How do I clean out the pipes?

The best way would be through regular cleaning using wire brushes which can reach deep down inside of your stack piping system and remove all the soot stuck in there without causing any damage. You may also use compressed air for this purpose but make sure you have an appropriate mask on while doing so as inhaling dust particles are harmful for health. Remember though, never ever try to use water to clean the system as it will create more problems than solving them.

Do I need a special tool to install the stove pipe?

No, you don't. A standard sheet metal screw will work just fine; however make sure not go overboard with tightening them too much or else they might break off their place. The best way would be through regular cleaning using wire brushes that can reach deep down inside of your stack piping system and remove all soot stuck in there without causing any damage.

Conclusion

In order to successfully connect stove pipe, there are a few important considerations that need to be made. First of all, it is absolutely necessary for the connection point between the two types of pipes to remain as close as possible at all times in order for a successful seal and no leakage. Secondly, make sure you use highquality pressure rated elbow fittings when connecting your fireplaces together!