So what happens if you don't have 1/4" per foot in a horizontal pipe

[Eric Bommer]

So after all the comments I received about having a 1/4 inch rise per foot of horizontal pipe, today was really nice so I took off the end cap and slid my 4 foot level in the pipe and found out my contractor made this section level. Thought I could of trusted my contractor, especially since he told me he needed to add the rise before the installation, I was wrong. I have been fighting this for 2 1/2 years Now I am wondering if this has been my main issue from the beginning. I am also troubled that I have found nothing in the Englander or the Selkirk Dual Temp manuals, but I have read this warning from every other stove manufacture. I really appreciate all the help to get me to start researching along this line. Stove pipe is really a science.

Unfortunately I have a basement install through a concrete wall and a 4" finish wall (over 12" thick)so there not much I can do until the weather changes. The thimble was concreted in so when I tried to see if I could move the pipe by hanging all 275 pounds off of it, nothing budged. So I am stuck until I can bust it all apart and re install it then.

Now I know I have this issue I was wondering if any one had advice on how I can get the best out of my 55-TRPEP stove until I can fix it right. Mostly likely early spring. I guess I am fortunate that I get good fire on heat range "2", so its better then nothing.

Also I was wrong from before I don't have 4 foot horizontal run, its a 3 foot run. I guess that's a little good new for me today.

 

[smoke show]

IMO it would just probly require more frequent cleanings.

 

[Eric Bommer]

I am doing that now. If its only a matter of ash, after 3 weeks and 30 bags I only had about 1/8 inch of ash in a 4 inch pipe from today's cleaning. I really don't think that would kill my exhaust. Also even if I have to run a brush every week really not the end of the world.

 

[DexterDay]

3 ft horizontal thats level.... No worries.

1/4" wont gain you much.

i doubt you would notice. My Shop stove has 5' vert and 4' horiz, no 1/4" rise per ft on it. I messed up my measurement and said screw it, all is well with the world

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Ash in the vent and back pressure are the two things that having a rise will relieve. A four inch vent can take a lot more ash before it causes a problem than a 3" vent the back pressure is really helped by rise.

Air flow problems usually turn out to be several small things. No single one of which is the so called smoking gun.