Illegal chimneys

[kevinmoelk]

So now that I know a tidbit about woodstoves, as I've been driving around I'm beginning to notice things I didn't notice before. Things like wood piles, dead trees, and illegal chimneys.

On my way into town this morning I noticed at least 4 illegal set ups. Chimneys too short, chimneys severely off plumb, no chimney caps, and I swear one I saw looked like a tractor trailer exhaust pipe through the roof, hinged cap and all.

Just wondering how many other members here see illegal chimneys around their town?

I'll try and get some pictures up later, some of them are pretty scary.

-Kevin

 

[MrGriz]

Wrench, I do see some pretty questionable stuff.

I do agree that now that as I become more and more in tune with wood burning, and learn more, I notice much more. I actually drive my wife crazy pointing out wood piles, dead trees, possible scrounging grounds and the like while were driving. I also take different routes whenever possible to scout for wood.

It's definitely more than just an economical way to heat your house; it becomes a lifestyle, hobby, obsession...

 

[webbie]

Yeah, I've seen thousands of them! I figured they would all buy extendaflues, and they might if they knew the chimneys were not right! But no one ever tells them.

 

[njtomatoguy]

I met the dumbest person on earth the other day-

He was in Lowes-

In his cart he had the Vogelzang stove- the cheap one-
2 lengths of single wall black pipe
4 bundles of wood
1 kid, about 4 yrs old
1 adjustable 90- black single wall-

I kid you not- he was going to cut a hole in the side of his garage, come up one length, 90 over, and run the single wall thru the garage wall-

Thats it!

No chimney, no double wall, nothing!
While he was telling me this, his kid cut his face on the singlewall pipe-

Thankfully, genius decided that maybe this wasn't such a good idea, and left the cart in the aisle..

It's amazing how some people think--or don't--

 

[Eric Johnson]

There's about a one-mile stretch on my way to work where there's about four or five obviously dangerous chimneys. A couple are just single-wall stovepipe sticking out of the roof. One of those is on a bar (tavern). There's one that looks like an old piece of 10- or 12-inch galvanized culvert pipe. One of these days I'm going to compile a collection of photos and post it--just to get elk's blood pressure up a few notches.

These people aren't terribly prosperous, as you might imagine, and I don't begrudge them trying to get by with less than the fanciest gear. But judging from the school bus activity on that stretch of road, most of these places are home to kids, and that does bother me.

Funny, I've been driving this road for decades and it wasn't until Hearth.com that I even noticed the chimneys. The owners probably don't give it much of a second thought, either.

 

[GVA]

Yeah actualy A guy who lives behind me changed his roofline to a gambrel style to get more room on the top floor.
His chimney runs along the edge of the house (on the inside).
He had a extenda flue type thing on his chimney to bring it up to code height requirements ........ But It's not there anymore, ooooooppppssss. Guess he was pulling a fast one over on the inspector, I hope he doesn't set the roof on fire :grrr:

 

[MrGriz]

I'm sure a big part of it is due to lack of knowledge. Many people don't know how to do it right and either just figure it out on their own, with the resources they have handy or get bad advice. The guy in Lowes probably had a cart full of the stuff that the kid in the stove aisle told him he needed.

If not for the education I received here before selecting and installing my insert, I'm sure I would not be as happy or safe with the finished product. At a minimum, I would have holes in the basement ceiling to move air and no block off plate.

 

[njtomatoguy]

It amazes me that people would play with fire (literally) with the largest investment they will ever make(house)and not do any research- In the age of the internet, research is easy-google it-and if you don't have the internet, the time tested, old fashioned print on paper is still available-for free- from your local library- which your tax dollars pay for. This guy just had no clue, and didn't even think of going to the library, or looking online-quote" because it was just in his garage"

 

[elkimmeg]

You are looking at alumium dryer vent Because it drafts so poorly, note the third picture. The guy cut holes in the bottom and inserted plastic air injection tubes.
The other end of the tube are connected to a blower. Esentually he has created a blast furnace using plastic tubes. It heats his entire home and really throws of
heat when it is glowing cherry red. The easiest stove he ever had to start and keeps on cooking. It can be run without the blower, but it puffs smoke back into the home. It is hard to start
and keep going.

Can anyone guess the manufacture of the stove?

 

[BrotherBart]

you are looking at alumium dryer vent

Quit showing that Elk. I told you this is the last year I am going to use it.

 

[MrGriz]

Wow....now that has Darwin award nominee written all over it.

 

[njtomatoguy]

That looks like that Voelgang that he was going to buy- phew, close call..

btw, Mr griz. I am the kid at Lowes. I work as a sales specialist in the plumbing dept. Mostly do the bath design and special order stuff.

I hate it, retail sucks, and you are right- 100% right- no one else in the plumbing dept has any plumbing experience at all- I actually asked how they hire people with no experience to help the customers- no answer yet!

I took that job because I needed the health benefits. When my ins. co. "informed" me that my health ins was going up from $9800 a year to over 10k, I looked for a PT job with health insurance.

 

[MrGriz]

Didn't mean to over generalize about the 'kid' in the stove aisle. As you said though, you usually run into someone who doesn't know their a$$ from ice cream and end up relying on that advice.

I have actually found a few (very few) guys at the local Home Cheapo who are retired from a trade and now work part time in that department. Those are the guys I seek out when I need advice on something. There are good people out there and customers do find and recognize them, don't get discouraged.

Thank God that guy ran into you and that you took the time to educate him a bit on what he was about to do.

 

[kevinmoelk]

Yikes. The pictures Elk posted are damned scary. To think someone would even fathom that was fire worthy is beyond me... and yet the 3rd picture proudly shows the fire going.

Elk what are those 3 tube like things under the stove? EDIT: Nevermind, I see you've elaborated on the pictures. Thanks.

-Kevin

 

[Gooserider]

ELK: Can anyone guess the manufacture of the stove?

Must be a New Englander, or some such, Maye a Harmon or PE- Elk tells us a Vogelzang would never take that sort of abuse, so it must be a good stove.... %-P

Gooserider

 

[njtomatoguy]

Mr Griz

Thanks for the nice words- the guy that just quit was a sub teacher-same boat-no bennies- didn't know anything-I mean anything- about plumbing-told customers to buy a book- PISSED OFF many a customer with that response-- and they do have a retired electrician in electrical dept, and a general contractor in the millwork/lumber/doors dept.. there are some knowledgeable people at the big boxes, but it takes a hell of a lot of effort to find them- They screwed up my front door so bad that I complained-threatened- yelled etc., but then realized I needed the bennies more than the door- installed it myself and shut up. Payday is friday, they have'nt missed one yet, bennies are $21 a week......

 

[stoveguy2esw]

i tell folks from the stores (kids in the aisles "chuckle"JK) to please give out our help number so peeps can contact us. this way we can listen to what the customer wants to do and advise them accordingly. things like venting with pellet stoves is an often discussed topic on my phone. for instance , how far must i be from a window or door? can i vent under my deck? etc. lowes and depot carry our units in their "seasonal" dept. folks that work that section are dealing with everything from pellet stoves and gas log sets , to lawn mowers and weed wackers to patio furnature. its not as specific as say , the plumbing dept, or the electrical and such, thats a lot of ground to cover. now , dont get me wrong , there are some pretty sharp folks in these departments in some stores folks who have learned about the hearth products they sell, and in others... well... thats why we encourage them to have customers contact us unless the question they have is one that they can confidently answer. i tell customers who call in this little quote that i heard somewhere that made a lot of sense to me.
(edited for content )
say you go to McDonalds, and order a quarter pounder, now, the kid in the back will likely cook you a good burger, but its doubtful he knows how to slaughter a cow.

 

[ourhouse]

You are looking at alumium dryer vent Because it drafts so poorly, note the third picture. The guy cut holes in the bottom and inserted plastic air injection tubes.
The other end of the tube are connected to a blower. Esentually he has created a blast furnace using plastic tubes. It heats his entire home and really throws of
heat when it is glowing cherry red. The easiest stove he ever had to start and keeps on cooking. It can be run without the blower, but it puffs smoke back into the home. It is hard to start
and keep going.

Can anyone guess the manufacture of the stove?

Elk was that local?

 

[njtomatoguy]

I SWEAR-

The people in seasonal have started sending the customers to my desk, to just get a general heads up- about woodstoves-

I help them as best I can, explain that i am no expert, do a little research, go to HEARTH.COM..

 

[GVA]

Elk That's nice stuff there what's wrong with that ;-P

Well It looks like that guy was doing his own electrical work too with that FULLY ADJUSTABLE floodlight outside (in first pic).

 

[Harley]

You are looking at alumium dryer vent Because it drafts so poorly, note the third picture. The guy cut holes in the bottom and inserted plastic air injection tubes.
The other end of the tube are connected to a blower. Esentually he has created a blast furnace using plastic tubes. It heats his entire home and really throws of
heat when it is glowing cherry red. The easiest stove he ever had to start and keeps on cooking. It can be run without the blower, but it puffs smoke back into the home. It is hard to start
and keep going.

Can anyone guess the manufacture of the stove?

I think it begins with a V, but realisticly, you can't blame the manufature of a bad stove for the bad setup the guy put in is own place (I'm guessing even in their manual, that would not be an acceptable setup). He's obviously looking for trouble there, but probably would have done the same type of setup with any type of stove

 

[MrGriz]

I especially like the plastic air injection tubes, LOL!

Maybe this guy would be a customer for the line of fine rubber pokers, ash rakes and paper ash cans I am developing.

 

[hearthtools]

I get people in my store every week wanting a Box or a thimble to go through the roof or wall for single wall pipe.
I tell them No such thing you have to use Class A and show them the Large ICC poster on my wall that shows all the differnt type of installations.

Most of the time I get
"NO WAY you are full of crap and just want us to sell us high priced pipe
We are just replacing Sigle wall pipe that has been through the roof for the past 30 years and it ant burt down yet."
I show them what they need and they cant aford that and walk out the door.

 

[Gooserider]

You are looking at alumium dryer vent Because it drafts so poorly, note the third picture. The guy cut holes in the bottom and inserted plastic air injection tubes.
The other end of the tube are connected to a blower. Esentually he has created a blast furnace using plastic tubes. It heats his entire home and really throws of
heat when it is glowing cherry red. The easiest stove he ever had to start and keeps on cooking. It can be run without the blower, but it puffs smoke back into the home. It is hard to start
and keep going.

Can anyone guess the manufacture of the stove?

I think it begins with a V, but realisticly, you can't blame the manufature of a bad stove for the bad setup the guy put in is own place (I'm guessing even in their manual, that would not be an acceptable setup). He's obviously looking for trouble there, but probably would have done the same type of setup with any type of stove

Yeah, but would one of those cheesy american made VC stoves stand up to that kind of abuse w/o a meltdown?

I'm only half kidding, as while the setup shown is scary as it gets, the fact that the stove has apparently been severely overfired on a chronic basis without doing the China Syndrome says it can't be 100% garbage... Maybe they ought to use it as an advert - "don't do it like this, but isn't it neat to know you can?"

Gooserider

 

[bigNATE®]

I know I am going to catch ALOT of hell for this but I will post it anyways, here is how I had my wood furnace vented in the garage until my insulated doublewall flue kit came and then I ran it through the roof to code, this was just for the weekend so we could work on plows in the warmth back in novembers cold streak