Is it generally acceptable for an installer to use flex to get past the damper area on a wood stove insert? I figure if I'm paying $350 for installation plus $500 for pipe it should be hard pipe all the way up.
Flex pipe on wood stove insert?
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IMO for $500 you are probably getting flex all the way up. That is about what I payed for my 30' of flex. Not that theres anything wrong with that.... It's fairly light and easy enough to work with and from what I've heard, should last as long as the stove.
I did, with another guy. It wasn't that bad. If your roof is easy enough to work on and the chimney is straight and not too tight, go for it.
I have flex pipe on mine. Works fine. If you are handy and the chimney is not too tight you definitely can do it yourself. With the money saved insulate it and you will be really happy witht he unit...
For a fully insulated flex liner its about $1000 for us. For rigid insulated pipe its more like $1200 - $1500
I did mine myself. If you have the right tools it's quite simple. The hardest part was insulating and getting it through the damper. Good luck.
"getting it thru the damper" can be a real pain, depending on the specifics of the damper itself. you can oval slightly if needed to get thru like, a 1" too narrow space. but if you need to pass a 6" pipe thru a 3" wide gap, get out your Sawz-All, cold chisels, and a BFH.
and further, since this is an insert, you have all kinds of alignment issues to deal with. You kinda CAN'T expect the one spot in your chimney where the pipe drops thru to align exactly with the outlet collar on the insert. Hence the flex in that section. If you're burning right, you won't have issues w/ buildup on the flex - it's good stuff.
and further, since this is an insert, you have all kinds of alignment issues to deal with. You kinda CAN'T expect the one spot in your chimney where the pipe drops thru to align exactly with the outlet collar on the insert. Hence the flex in that section. If you're burning right, you won't have issues w/ buildup on the flex - it's good stuff.
Getting through the damper is the issue. My installer used a big pipewrench with a cheater bar and nibbled off the cast iron lip until the 6 inch liner could get through. A trick of the trade. Like said above the battle isn't over because (as in my case) the liner coming through the damper can be back of the insert by a good bit. A flex liner is a must there plus in my case they had to push the insert all the way in making it flush to get the liner and insert opening to connect. That was a bummer because I wanted the freedom insert to sit out at least a few inches. Then one more issue could be in how easy the liner can be pushed down your flue opening. In my case with a 12" flue the six inch liner with insulation was a piece of cake. I could have done the install myself but some things would have to a be well thought out. Tony
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