How to Hook Up a Wood Stove Pipe to the Chimney
Staying toasty warm with a wood stove fire burning is one of the joys of winter. But before you can enjoy the benefits of the wood stove and its dry heat, you have to install the wood stove pipe to the chimney. With the multiple-sized sections pipes available, including sections that telescope, installing the wood stove pipe doesn’t have to be that difficult. Arm yourself with the right tools and equipment and take a few minutes to get that pipe in place. You’ll be enjoying your wood stove in no time. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ladder
- Measuring tape
- Pipe sections
- Elbows, if needed
- Telescoping pipe section
- Drill with screw bit
- Self-tapping sheet metal screws, 3 per pipe section
- Level
- High-temperature caulk
- High-temperature stove paint
Instructions
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1
Set up the ladder so it’s easy to climb. Make sure the feet splay appropriately and that the ladder is sturdy. Climb to the chimney and measure from the chimney to the back of the wood stove’s flue. The flue is the circle with a lip on the back or top of the wood stove.
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2
Purchase the stove pipe sections to span the distance. If the distance doesn’t equal the combined measurements of the stove pipe sections, select a telescoping unit for the last section. If the chimney is in the wall, this will require an elbow to make the turn and a short section to come out the needed distance from the wall according to local building codes, but generally a minimum of 18 inches.
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3
Insert the first stove pipe section at the top into the chimney box or into the wall thimble. Grab the pipe on either side and slightly twist as you insert it into the chimney or wall thimble. Each pipe has a ridge that acts as the stop against which the pipe above rests.
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4
Secure the first section by placing three screws to hold the pipe section to the chimney or wall thimble. Set the screws apart equally around the circumference of the stove pipe. Screw them into place with the drill.
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5
Insert the next section of pipe into the pipe just installed. Lightly twist as you insert, but don’t force too hard, as you don’t want to bend any of the pipe sections. Ensure the pipe’s ridge seats all the way against the pipe and that is on straight. After its straight, secure the screws as in the previous step.
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6
Repeat the pipe installation until you get to the last piece. Note the location off the screw holes on the flue if so equipped. This is where you will screw through the pipe and flue to secure the last pipe section. If there are no screw holes available, you will not be able to screw the last pipe section to the wood stove. That shouldn’t matter because the pipe will stay in place. Set the telescoping unit into the pipe above and then lift up on it as you install over the flue of the wood stove. Twist if need be.
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7
Climb the ladder again and test the level of the stove pipe on the front and side of the pipe. Adjust the pipe sections all the way down until they are level. There will be some play in the pipe, even with the screws securing the sections.
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8
Touch up the screw heads with the high-temperature paint.
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9
Take the ladder outside and apply caulk on the roof around the chimney to ensure no storm water leaks in.
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Tips & Warnings
Always work safely when working on a ladder. Never go past the top two rungs, and keep the ladder firmly planted on the floor. Use extension cords with the drill, if needed.
Wear gloves when installing the stove pipe as some of the pipe’s edges are sharp.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
