Will fixing these help draft?

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Narf

Member
Oct 31, 2012
19
I am getting a good puff of smoke each time I open the stove. I also have to keep the door open for a good amount of time to get the fire going. I know wood can be part of this but even with kiln dried wood I don't have a very good fire when the air is closed past halfway. Today I noticed that the chimney has a quarter inch gap where it meets the stove and think I'm loosing air here. There is also a couple screw holes left open at the elbows. Any recommendations on how to plug these up and if you think it will make a noticeable difference? Thanks,
Nick
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Wow, those are some bad gaps. The pipe going into the stove collar is out of round causing the gap, remove it, make it round and re-install. As for the holes, put a screw in them. With a short run like that I would highly suggest replacing all of the pipe with some 22 gauge stuff. It fits much better and will last a very long time. It wouldn't cost too much, and you can have a slip section for ease of install and cleaning.
 
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Wow, those are some bad gaps. The pipe going into the stove collar is out of round causing the gap, remove it, make it round and re-install. As for the holes, put a screw in them. With a short run like that I would highly suggest replacing all of the pipe with some 22 gauge stuff. It fits much better and will last a very long time. It wouldn't cost too much, and you can have a slip section for ease of install and cleaning.

I'm not even a pro, but I can look a some things and say, "Hey... that ain't right..."
Do what the man says, Narf.
 
YIKES! How are you not gettin smoke and ash in the house? That right there aint right. I'm with webby on this one. I bought 22 ga. welded seam pipe with solid ell's when I installed my new stove and am glad I did.
 
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That pipe should be screwed together. 3 screws in the joints. You might also be well advised to get some cement (very low cost) and spread that in each connection. I agree that this can be a bit of overkill but we started doing this long ago and have had good luck with it.

On the wood, this is just one more instance and why we recommend to be 3 years ahead on the wood supply.
 
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Wow i would replace the pipes.
 
Looks like the local hardware store or big box stove pipe. I'd take it off and roll it on your knee or squeeze it by hand until it is close as you can to a perfect circle.

When I looked at the pics, it seems to me the seams are not snapped into place all the way either, you might have to open the channel up a bit to make sure it is seated otherwise you can get that taco effect on the seam which you have going on.

Ditto on putting 3 screws in on your connections. You should not have any crimp ends exposed. You can purchase a stove pipe crimper at a store for a reasonable price and make your own custom length sections if you do not go the route of an adjustable length section.

I make my own with a crimper every few years just to be on the safe side.
 
That stove pipe needs to be fixed . . . there should not be gaps like that . . . and the stove pipe should not be coming apart like that . .. providing it has the three screws as needed. Please fix this as soon as possible.
 
Narf - I have to say that I am a little bit scared for ya. I didn't see a single picture that was acceptable pipe connections. I would also recommend a replacement of that pipe. Get the joints fitting properly and screw each joint with the required 3 screws.

This is not only a safety factor, but I am sure that your draft will improve.
 
This is how it was when I moved in over the summer. I knew it wasn't the best install, but didn't think it was too big a deal. I have suspended burning and am ordering new pipe. I am also gonna move the stove out to get the required 18" clearance for single wall pipe. Right now it's at 15".
 
I am also gonna move the stove out to get the required 18" clearance for single wall pipe. Right now it's at 15".

Do yourself a favor and just order up double wall pipe.
 
Do yourself a favor and just order up double wall pipe.
X 2, if you check the specs on the stove, you may be able to move it back some if you put double wall on there. The clearances should be listed on a tag on the back of the stove.
 
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