Water/ice at the bottom of my duraVent cleanout

[Diabel]

I ran into this issue mid season last year when i wanted to do a mid season sweep. When i pulled the bottom plate of the cleanout it was full of ice. I had to chip through it in order to sweep. This time, i have been away for two weeks. Last evening i lit the stove and soon after i could see water dripping through the clean out lid. For sure this is rain water. My worry is that if the ice builds up to the thimble water might drip into the stove. Is there any fix to this? Different duravent cap?

 

[begreen]

Are you in a windy area where it often rains sideways? We have a Duravent cap and haven't had any rain issues in 14 yrs. that it has been installed, but it could be that our chimney is more sheltered.
Selkirk has a SuperVent rain cap that may work better at shielding from sideways rain.

 

[Diabel]

Yes it is windy often. Sometimes when storms roll in from the lake the rains come on a good angle. The chimney that i have in town (excel) never had water issues but as you say it is sheltered by trees and houses.

 

[begreen]

The Supervent cap claims to be designed for rain. It looks like it would protect better from wind-driven wet.

 

[Diabel]

This is the cap i have.

 

[begreen]

Yes, probably the same as we have.

 

[SpaceBus]

Are you in a windy area where it often rains sideways? We have a Duravent cap and haven't had any rain issues in 14 yrs. that it has been installed, but it could be that our chimney is more sheltered.
Selkirk has a SuperVent rain cap that may work better at shielding from sideways rain.

View attachment 267354

I have one of these and we don't get rain in the chimney. We do get water dripping from the outer ring as the cold wind causes the moisture in the flue gasses to condensate almost immediately. This is my only complaint.

 

[Diabel]

It must be then the combination of high wind and rain. I am just worried that if the ice builds up to the top of the clean out then water might start coming into the stove. Sometimes i am not here weeks at a time. I suppose i could remove the clean out lid when i am not here.

 

[gthomas785]

Maybe drill a small weep hole for drainage? If it won't affect your draft too much

 

[Diabel]

Maybe drill a small weep hole for drainage? If it won't affect your draft too much

That bottom lid is not air tight. When the stove is running and if there is any ice at the bottom of the cleanout, it will eventually melt. At least now when it is not too cold yet. Anyhow, strange phenomenon. I am sure i am not the only one with this situation.

 

[gthomas785]

That bottom lid is not air tight. When the stove is running and if there is any ice at the bottom of the cleanout, it will eventually melt. At least now when it is not too cold yet. Anyhow, strange phenomenon. I am sure i am not the only one with this situation.

So it's raining in the chimney and freezing before it can drain out? If it's really that much water getting in I'd look into getting a different cap.