Water in chimney pipe from storage

shadow_smoker said:

Hi. I was storing some sections of duravent 6" ID chimney pipe (insulated with thermal blanket between inner and outer walls) outside. It was covered but directly on the ground and when I stood them up yesterday, they felt heavy and water began draining out of the creases at the bottom. I am leaving them standing vertical to drain but since the insulated area is pretty well sealed, I expect it will stay wet in there for a long time yet. Perhaps heat from using these sections on my install will steam out this moisture over time. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or concerns regarding my predicament.

Thanks

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I learned the same thing a few years ago when I took my Dura Flue chimney down to find a roof water leak. I laid, three of the 48" sections on my open deck for a few weeks, They got rained on. When I stood them up water ran out, and they were real heavy. As I was looking for the roof leak, a pro stove guy here said I might be from the chimney sections, as they are not sealed. I guess the side seam works when the pipe is vertical, but allows water to enter when horizontal. When the sections are stacked vertically I don't think the water would run into the section below.

So I had two other sections that didn't get wet. They were the one's that went through the roof collar and into the ceiling box. The wet pipes were all outside. I figured the fires would dry them out. I checked them as I burned the first few fires. Because the insulation was wet those sections were hot to the touch on the outside, the others were cool. No steam, coming out of them. Since they are outside chimney sections I've have forgotten about it. No issues. I'll check them this year to see If I can detect any water in them.

I'd try drying them out. Bake them In a oven.

I've had dura-tech do this before. We changed some 6" out for 8" on a job and it laid out In the rain for most of the day. I brought it home and stood the sections up in the garage to drain. They dried out just fine. Get them inside to dry for a while and you will be just fine. There is no need to throw em out.

Play it safe and check with the manufacturer.

Whenever I am dealing with a product that may have been compromised, and my family's safety may be at risk, I always err on the side of caution. You are going to get a lot of information on this site, and some of it is good - but none of it comes with a warranty. Never ever put saving a few bucks above safety; your life may depend on it.

I agree with calling dura-vent and asking them what they think. I'll bet they will say as long as its wasn't wet for an extended period of time, or submerged in water its fine if you allow it to dry out.
It's not like loose blow in insulation in the attic, its a solid packed insulation, it's not going to settle. But, if its wet it's also no good, so it has to be dried out.

I've seen lots and lots of warnings in their installation manuals, but warnings about wet pipe is not one of them.
Bring that pipe over to my house! I'll "dispose" of it.