seal each segment of exhaust pipe?

As a general concept, should each of the exhaust segments be rtv sealed?

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This depends on the pipe brand. Pellet vent is a known leaker. Pellet vent pro is better because of the internal seal rings, but still seems to leak for some(me include). ICC has been chatted about here and many have much better results.

Is the sealing normal installation behavior?

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On some brands that have been stand out leakers. Yes you would need to use sealer on them!

Another major leak on Pellet Vent and PV is the appliance adapter. On the stove connection end it has a space between the 2 walls(inner and outer). PV has a rope gasket stuffed in it. I fill this area full of sealant/cement. PVP is similar but the outer wall is formed/closed off. But it is not sealed. I mead some sealant into this seam and finish with a good bead around it. Pellet vent with the installs I have done seem to be leak free if sealed on both the inside and outside of all interior joints. PVP I have been able to be leak free with sealing just the outside of the joint on all interior seams!

Both PV and PVP seem to have leaks at the tee caps. Because you need to remove these often its best to use hitemp aluminum tape on these joints so you can still remove the caps. If you seal them with silicon, Yu asking for stuck caps that will make clean harder than needed!

What brand of pipe are you dealing with?

My recommendation is to seal every seam, connection, rivet, joint, you name it. When I bought my pellet stoves, OJ Simpson Duravent was pretty much all that was available. The stuff was overpriced junk and it leaked like a sieve. I looked inside one piece where a worker had tried to seal a gap with red RTV.....the caulk was not even close to the gap, just smeared on the inside of the stainless liner. I never used their "pro" version, but it's a pretty damning admission that the original version stunk.

This is sad. Why in this day and age can they not make pellet stove pipe that doesn't leak... Well, actually, they do! ICC seems to get good reviews and I have yet to hear ANY issues with Selkirk Direct Temp Pellet - 4" internal pipe with 6-5/8" outer pipe (which I now have after Simpson Pellet Pro = fail). Outer pipe is the cold air intake. Already come with siliconized gaskets AND --- heres the best part --- any small leak in the internal pipe will end up in the intake flow and reburned in the stove. Brilliant!

Only caveat, the portion of the pipe system that attaches to the back of the stove and transitions to the 6-5/8" pipe does have several joints that will need to be liberally sealed with RTV, but if you follow the instructions it works well.

Since ICC and Direct Temp is not available from every Tom, Dick and Harry like Simpson, you'll likely need to order online which takes time, so propper planning is necessary. Dirct Temp has kits which include just about everything you need except the pipe lengths. They do offer telescopic sections making it easier to fit to the proper length. I bought my Direct Temp stuff at dynamitebuys.com and they are great! Free shipping and great prices

j-takeman said:

ICC has been chatted about here and many have much better results.

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ICC, if put together correctly so the silicone seals are still in their channels does not leak one bit. Super tight seal on ICC ExcelPellet. No RTV needed at all at seams. I could not be happier with the new pipe.

Just what I want to hear. I am stuck with simpson dura PV and I have nothing but leaks and RTV on everything also. I might have to upgrade to ICC next season.

We are set for the instal of a Harman Accentra FS tomorrow morning. The predelivered exhaust vent piping seems to be from a Canadian outfit called Industrial Chimney Company and the brand name seems to be Intertek.

Anyone have any experience with them? Should I insist on sealing every joint?

Much obliged for any input.

RKS130 said:

We are set for the instal of a Harman Accentra FS tomorrow morning. The predelivered exhaust vent piping seems to be from a Canadian outfit called Industrial Chimney Company and the brand name seems to be Intertek.

Anyone have any experience with them? Should I insist on sealing every joint?

Much obliged for any input.

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That is ICC and Intertek is a testing lab.

Does ICC venting require sealant at each joint?

RKS130 said:

Does ICC venting require sealant at each joint?

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No it doesn't, it does however require that the installer check that the silicone gaskets are in their channels and lubricated otherwise there will be leaks and it will be hard to join the pipes, most installers that use ICC already know that. The only place that needs the sealant is at the stove adapter because there is no gasket there.

Many thanks to Smokey. Its a very cool morning here, looks like the install will be just in time.

SmokeyTheBear said:

RKS130 said:

Does ICC venting require sealant at each joint?

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No it doesn't, it does however require that the installer check that the silicone gaskets are in their channels and lubricated otherwise there will be leaks and it will be hard to join the pipes, most installers that use ICC already know that. The only place that needs the sealant is at the stove adapter because there is no gasket there.

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But there is also some kind of silicone gasket inside the stove adapter that presses against the lip of the stove collar. Still need to fill the whole channel with high temp rtv though. But that's it!

Unless your attaching to a flex liner then that adapter needs rtv also.