Chimney Pipe Question and Cleaning

[04HemiRam2500]

Okay, so my draft is on the weaker side. I recently added another foot to the outside of my chimney pipe See pic. Measuring from the upper slope, I get that from the roof to the top of the chimney I am at 4.9 inches then add the chimney cap.

I saw on lowes online you can order a half a foot section of pipe. I want to do this although, I will be at 5.4 feet tall because these chimney sections are not exactly .5 ft it is probably .4. I noticed this because my 3 foot pipe is actually 2 feet and 10 inches. I am trying to avoid adding a roof guy kit but wanted to know if I could add half a foot and still be safe! I am in sw pa and not in high elevation so I am not in a drastically windy location. I believe the code says anything past five feet but seriously, would 3 to 4 inches matter that much?

Also, to make it stabler I took out single wall pipe in my home and added a 2 ft foot piece of chimney pipe into my room. That way there is more weight on the other end of the cathedral box. So, instead of having 3 inches into the room I know have 3 inches plus the two foot section.

Some are probably saying do not bother adding half a foot. However, My chimney total is only 14 feet if I ad half a foot that is a significant increase. I would say about 4-5% draft increase and that cold make a difference.

Lastly, I burn some greener wood this year unfortunately. I got the outside of the chimney pipe black as you can see. How can I clean this?

 

[blazincajun]

Stainless steel Brillo Pad - then paint with high heat flat black paint. That's what I did. Be careful.

 

[DAKSY]

If the manufacturer says to use the roof brace kit for anything over five feet, in order to be code compliant you need to use it. Doesn't matter if you are ONE INCH over. That being said, why not add a foot & use the kit? What does your stove manual say for minimum chimney height?
Do you currently meet the 2 ft 10 ft 3 ft rule?
Clean the outside of your pipe with Speedy White stove cleaner or something similar. Depending on how thick the buildup is, you may have to use some Scotch Brite or something like that in addition to the cleaner.

 

[04HemiRam2500]

I would like to keep the chimney the chrome color. Although, you are right I can just by high temp chrome spray paint to cover it. I will try the brill o pad during this coming off season.

Daksy, I have a supervent setup from lowes. They are made by selkirk. I found this online by selkirk. I think it is older but it says that for a cathedral ceiling support box I do not need a roof guy kit until it is 6 feet or more above the roof. The manual with my setup does say every five feet but why does this specify different?

I attached the file below.

 

[04HemiRam2500]

My house is still being constructed. I measured the roof pitch from the inside under the plywood. When I did that I got 3.5/12. I thought this is strange because aren't they suppose to be whole numbers. Maybe I was a little off and it should be 4/12.

Someone told me this is more accurate because if you measure ontop of your roof shingles which are layered you get a higher value. They told me that if you do measure on the roof to put a board or something flat down. However, they stressed measuring inside as it is more accurate.

When I measured inside I used two rulers and a level just like this video.

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[begreen]

6" probably isn't going to make a giant difference in draft. I would add a couple feet and add a roof brace. I did this on our new install and it worked out well. Why the hesitation to add a brace?

 

[04HemiRam2500]

I am just not a fan of drilling into the roof. Also, don't you have to hit the rafter studs? You can't just put them into the roof right? Here is my dilemma, I have 4/12 roof I need 5 ft 3 inches of pipe out the roof to be in code. It just sucks to add the roof brace for three inches past 5 feet.

Should I measure ten feet away from the chimney pipe and see if I am two feet taller than that?

It just looks like I am in code even though measuring I get 4/12 pitch and peak is over ten feet away but 10 3 2 rule applies anyhow.

 

[bholler]

I don't understand why you want to add the 6" piece anyway do you need it to get the 3 2 10 rule? Other than that we have put on allot of roof braces and haven't had a leak yet.

 

[begreen]

Drilling in the roof is not a big deal if done correctly and sealed properly. I had to do it on our 3 yr old roof and all is fine. It's going to suck worse if a big load of snow or very high winds leverage your pipe out of joint.

 

[04HemiRam2500]

Yes, I need it for the 3 2 10 rule. According to the rule I need 64 inches of pipe which is 5ft 3 inches. I only have 57 to 58 inches now.

 

[04HemiRam2500]

Is it necessary to add the roof brace for just a fe winches though?

 

[bholler]

Yeah I just did the math to so you then need a brace to meet code but I would add more than 6" if your draft is weak and you are going to need a brace anyway.

 

[04HemiRam2500]

I noticed that lowes does not stock the brace. Where can I get one?

 

[bholler]

Yes it is necessary according to the chimney install instructions right? doesn't matter if it is an inch or a foot over Look online I am sure you can find a brace.

 

[04HemiRam2500]

Here is how I messed up. I measured the roof pitch near the edge end of the roof and got 3/12 but in the middle I got 4/12? Why did that happen?

 

[bholler]

how are we supposed to know how you messed up measuring? lol

 

[begreen]

Our neighbors roof is that way too. It changes pitch in the last foot.

 

[04HemiRam2500]

I guess what I am asking is there another way to calculate roof pitch without using two rulers?

 

[BrotherBart]

Measure the chimney from the base on the uphill side, not the downhill side and you probably won't need a brace. Also some jurisdictions call for one at five feet and others call for it at six feet.

 

[begreen]

Yes, I need it for the 3 2 10 rule. According to the rule I need 64 inches of pipe which is 5ft 3 inches. I only have 57 to 58 inches now.

How much pipe total will there be from the stove top to the chimney cap?

 

[04HemiRam2500]

So, Begreen, are you saying that my roof can change pitch throughout the length of the roof?

 

[BrotherBart]

Our neighbors roof is that way too. It changes pitch in the last foot.

I can measure mine in four different places and come up with four different answers. A new roof with all new decking.

 

[04HemiRam2500]

I measured the pipe from the uphill side I remember reading that somewhere. Right now from flue coller to top of chimney I have 13 feet of chimny roughly.

 

[04HemiRam2500]

Thats interesting you mentioned new BB because mine is new.

Should I just measure ten feet out form the uphill side of the pipe. Make a mark on the roof and then see if my pipe is two feet taller than that. Is that the only way to truly tell. Because I do remember getting like three reading of 3/12 to 3.5/12 to 4/12.

 

[bholler]

the height that you need a brace is usually determined by the chimney manufacturer in my experience it is usually 5'. If it is only 13' and you have weak draft you should add 2' anyway and them you defenatly need a brace