Baffle/moisture question

[holg]

I finally have a finished hearth with the appropriate R value, a Hearthstone Heritage which was purchased several years ago, an Exel chimney installed 2 years ago, and stacks of split oak going back 2 to 12 years. It is time they all met.

Right now the Heritage is sitting next to the hearth. There is nothing connected to the chimney, and my set-up is straight up to the cap--no bends or elbows. So my current chimney is acting as an open vent in the house, which is actually O.K. with me, as the house is tight, and I have a fresh air supply in the basement, and the chimney being open keeps air circulating and limits condensation on the windows.

I have noticed that when it is warmer out, the frost that forms on the underside of the chimney cap melts and drips down onto the hearth. It's not a great quantity, it's not running down the pipe, just drops coming from the center of the underside of the chimney cap.

When I retire in a few years I plan on being a 24/7 burner. But for now, the stove will likely be used Friday night thru Tuesday morning. I presume that in between fires when the stove and the chimney cool, and condensation forms on the chimney cap, and later melts, either as a result of the next fire or warmer ambient temperatures, moisture will be dripping onto the baffle thing above the secondary burn tubes.

Is this an issue for whatever material that baffle thing is made of?

Any insight will be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[jatoxico]

My guess is that once the stove is actually attached there won't be enough warm air going up the chimney to create the conditions you have now. Alot of times driven rain can get into chimneys and I've never heard of any issues.

 

[begreen]

Is there a storm collar right above the roof flashing? Is it sealed with a bead of silicone?

 

[holg]

Is there a storm collar right above the roof flashing? Is it sealed with a bead of silicone?

I'm hoping it won't be an issue either. But I actually pulled out a triple wall uninsulated chimney system because that one did cause condensation problems. Water would run down the pipe, in between the walls of the chimney. I think the construction of that particular system was the problem (other triple wall systems might be fine),
The little dripping I have now is different. I can look right up the chimney and see the underside of the chimney cap. Under the right conditions, warming outside after it being cold, and if I am patient, I can watch the drop form on the underside of the cap and then let loose and fall. Of course I get a heads-up when to look by seeing a little wetness on the hearth where some drops have fallen.
As for the storm collar, it is in place, and every fall I always go up on the roof and check everything that is poking thru the roof and check flashings and silicone beads. All was well with the chimney. But I can understand where that would be an issue.