Used Stove Pipe & Chimney

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Parallax

Minister of Fire
Dec 2, 2013
883
Bellingham, WA
I'm wondering if it's alright to use a used stove pipe and chimney. It's from a stove that was installed in 1990. I assume the pipe is the same age. It's a GSW model SC chimney type HT according to the UL sticker, which is still present. It looks to be in good shape, though I'm no expert.

I've heard that to purchase new chimney pipe would be very expensive. This I could probably pick up for very little. But I wouldn't want to do so unless it was safe. Would it be worth bringing to a chimney sweep? The one stove installer I spoke to was very reluctant to use anything used. The impression I got was he's worried about potential liability.

The stove pipe looks to be about the length I would need for my home. I've got a 9 foot ceiling inside the house, same as the one it was removed from, and then it transitions from black to shiny metal color and extends up about a full story. I don't know how much new stove pipe costs, though I would imagine it's not cheap.

I'm wondering what those who are experienced with stoves think. Best to just buy new or might it be worth taking this pipe to someone to be checked out carefully?
 

Attachments

  • UL on pipe.jpeg
    UL on pipe.jpeg
    131.3 KB · Views: 894
Does anyone have a sense of whether it's worth considering a used chimney pipe?
 
So its class A insulated chimney pipe?
Never mind I see it in the picture, if in good shape it should be fine.
 
Thanks for the feedback.

Just called a place called "The Chimneysweep," where they both service and install stoves. Was told that there's no way to check out the condition of a pipe, no way to know if it's had chimney fires, no way to know if it's safe.

Don't know if it's true of it they're just fearful of being sued.
 
If the label hasn't burned off I doubt a chimney fire. In fact normal burning should have cooked it off.
 
Wonder if I can find someone to check it out and if I could find an installer willing to put it up.
 
Here's the other side. My chimney is 29 yrs. old and appears to be in perfect shape. It was checked and certified 3 yrs ago when my insurance insisted on an inspection. Should be OK right? No. The inspector just looked at the sticker and a quick glance at some sections. Everything got passed but I know some inspectors probably would have failed it. The reality is that I know I've had too many fires that got way too hot when someone (me) forgot to keep an eye on it. Chimneys are safe for a few of these but the insulation inside gets overheated and sags, leaving you with a small section at the top that has none. Multiple overheating may not show at all but may not be safe enough.
Sometime this year or next i will replace the chimney and probably sell it - as is. So, you could be buying a chimney like mine or one better or one even worse. The original comment from a sweep is most accurate IMHO - there is no way to tell unless it's been badly abused.
 
Here's the other side. My chimney is 29 yrs. old and appears to be in perfect shape. It was checked and certified 3 yrs ago when my insurance insisted on an inspection. Should be OK right? No. The inspector just looked at the sticker and a quick glance at some sections. Everything got passed but I know some inspectors probably would have failed it. The reality is that I know I've had too many fires that got way too hot when someone (me) forgot to keep an eye on it. Chimneys are safe for a few of these but the insulation inside gets overheated and sags, leaving you with a small section at the top that has none. Multiple overheating may not show at all but may not be safe enough.
Sometime this year or next i will replace the chimney and probably sell it - as is. So, you could be buying a chimney like mine or one better or one even worse. The original comment from a sweep is most accurate IMHO - there is no way to tell unless it's been badly abused.

Well that's pretty scary. Best to steer clear I guess. Funny that I just found a guy willing to inspect it and, if it passes, install it too.
 
Here's the other side. My chimney is 29 yrs. old and appears to be in perfect shape. It was checked and certified 3 yrs ago when my insurance insisted on an inspection. Should be OK right? No. The inspector just looked at the sticker and a quick glance at some sections. Everything got passed but I know some inspectors probably would have failed it. The reality is that I know I've had too many fires that got way too hot when someone (me) forgot to keep an eye on it. Chimneys are safe for a few of these but the insulation inside gets overheated and sags, leaving you with a small section at the top that has none. Multiple overheating may not show at all but may not be safe enough.
Sometime this year or next i will replace the chimney and probably sell it - as is. So, you could be buying a chimney like mine or one better or one even worse. The original comment from a sweep is most accurate IMHO - there is no way to tell unless it's been badly abused.
So how hot did yu get it?
 
how much can you get this used chimney for???
check for any cracking inside the pipe. I would probably use it if it looks good. I just got chimney & pipe for 600 new & installed it myself, first time, easy stuff.......
 
how much can you get this used chimney for???
check for any cracking inside the pipe. I would probably use it if it looks good. I just got chimney & pipe for 600 new & installed it myself, first time, easy stuff.......

The guy wants $300 for the stove and chimney. The stove might be a good starter, to use through the end of the season and then replace this summer, most likely with the BK Ashford. The chimney, if I knew it checked out, would stay.
 
If you take the sections apart and give the inner wall a good looking over, you can tell if it has been "fired" or not! I'd be on that deal like flys on stink if everything checks out!!!
 
If you take the sections apart and give the inner wall a good looking over, you can tell if it has been "fired" or not! I'd be on that deal like flys on stink if everything checks out!!!

Thanks. I think it's already apart. I've got a guy coming out to take a look at it. Took a while to find someone willing.
 
Will 200 degrees cook it off cause that's what they claim how warm they get.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.