Duh! What did I say about being an idiot, I did not turn the pipe over far enough to see the seam, I am glad I am finding out this stuff now as I do not want a leak later.
OK to seal storm collar AND top of cone under it?
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I've had no leakage in our two DuraTech installations and I didn't seal the seam. Just sealed the top of the storm collar where it meets the pipe.
This forum is great!! I was going to get on and thank one and all for the replies to my post of a couple of days ago about 1 vs 2 inch gaps in Class A chimney systems and then saw this post.
First, yes thanks to all for the good info letting me know 2" is not golden, and for informing me that more than 1 Class A pipe system uses a 1 inch gap providing you are using the appropriate support box--eased my mind a bunch.
As for my contribution to this post, I was aware of the venting rationale for not totally sealing the top end of the flashing cone on the roof. I likewise have an ~1/2" gap. My concern was more with critters-- bats, maybe wasps or mice, getting in. Speaking with my local Excel supplier, he said a gap at the top of the flashing cone is common and happens when they do the install, that it wasn't just because I as the home handyman did it "wrong". I don't want to stick steelwool in there because I remember from my high school lab days that steel wool burns (actually oxidizes) and can be ignited by a spark. I'm thinking about putting some crumpled up 1/8" hardware cloth.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.
First, yes thanks to all for the good info letting me know 2" is not golden, and for informing me that more than 1 Class A pipe system uses a 1 inch gap providing you are using the appropriate support box--eased my mind a bunch.
As for my contribution to this post, I was aware of the venting rationale for not totally sealing the top end of the flashing cone on the roof. I likewise have an ~1/2" gap. My concern was more with critters-- bats, maybe wasps or mice, getting in. Speaking with my local Excel supplier, he said a gap at the top of the flashing cone is common and happens when they do the install, that it wasn't just because I as the home handyman did it "wrong". I don't want to stick steelwool in there because I remember from my high school lab days that steel wool burns (actually oxidizes) and can be ignited by a spark. I'm thinking about putting some crumpled up 1/8" hardware cloth.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.
Just a quick update to my leak issue. After sealing the storm collar and cone really well (the seal may still come loose with expansion but that may be ok), and also sealing the vertical seam on the pipe, I sat back and waited. We had a good rain and everything seemed fine and then all of a sudden, a drip came down from the support box protruding from my ceiling. Then another. That was about it but it was enough to let me know it wasn't all fixed. I believe it was Highbeam that mentioned it may be an issue with how the roofing was done around the flashing and that it's rarely done right. Sure enough, I got up there the other day and really looked close and found at least one spot that could be letting in a little water. I debated tearing into it and making a big project of it or just sealing things up with roofing sealant. I went with the sealant approach and took my time so it wouldn't look too bad. It came out alright and there were a few spots that could have been causing the problem. Last night we had some pounding rain and I found myself standing in front of the stove, staring up at the ceiling. But as bad as it got, not one drop came down! So it looks like it's fixed and it was a combination of the huge gap under the storm collar and the roofing as well. Now, if only we could get some heavy heavy rain so it could really be put to the test. Maybe I'll check the Weather Channel and see what's going on.......
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