Pipe termination question

[masterswimmer]

I just had my stove installed this week. When the installer was working the termination (last piece of pipe) he left it uncovered. I questioned him about animals (birds, squirrels, bees, etc.) making this their new home. He said in the 12 years he's been installing stoves he's never heard of any animals inhabiting the stovepipe. He explained that with the soot buildup it is not a welcome mat to animals.

I am now questioning this advice and wanted the input my practical professionals. Please don't blast me too much. I can still have it amended, fixed, changed or repaired.

FYI, the pipe is 12' high on the outside. It's 10' above the regulator on the gas tank. The mfg specs say to leave 6'. We went 75% more than their requirements.

TIA,
Russ

 

[elkimmeg]

you have to reference you installation manual as to what is required A termination cap may be required or a down turned elbow may be allowed.

There is language in code about inset and vermite prevention I just don't know at this time tht is applies to pellet stoves I would require an insect screen if you are concerned

Be carfull here screens to create risistance friction and could effect how your system opperates Screens can get plugged up. Your installer may not be wrong But I guess he never got stung by hornets nesting inside the vent

 

[jtp10181]

The Simpson Pellet vent we used to use had a really ugly hood type termination cap. The new Simpson Pellet Pro has a cap that ends up looking similar to wwhat you have except the end is a little larger and it has a screen on it

 

[stoveguy2esw]

looking at the picture and seeing where you are terminated , and that you have siding, if it were me i would have carried the pipe another few ft to clear the roof by a foot and capped with a vert. termination cap. would prevent exhaust being blown against the siding if windy and possibly discoloring it.

P.S. i have talked to people who have had birds in their exhaust blower before, as well as bees hornets dirt daubers and the like , i cannot believe that this guy has 12 years and not heard of it.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

I have to agree with "Stoveguy2esw". The installer made the correct choice on the stainless pipe. Eric

 

[hearthtools]

Is this a gas stove or Pellet?

Looking at the Gas tank I think this is Gas



If it was pellet I would have went up the extra few feet.

 

[hearthtools]

A screen in a pellet vent will plug up.
The New simpson Cap does have a good Rodent band now.

 

[masterswimmer]

Thanks for all the replies. First, it is a pellet stove, not gas. Coincidence that the LP tank was in the exact location that the pipe exits the foundation. There was no place to move the LP tank to. I had the gas company here to evaluate it. There are windows, air conditioners or electric service panels that prevented it from being moved to another location.

Second, the termination, if not clear in the picture is coming away from the siding with a 90 into a 45. I think I agree with the suggestion about it going above the roof line to prevent any discoloration on the siding. Although the mfg directions don't address this issue.

Third, the installer did follow all the code and the mfg recommendations, the infestation concerns were just my observation. He specifically said that termination caps would impede the air flow and eventually clog, causing much worse problems than unwanted critters. His comment about not getting animals, including insects, in the pipe was based on the buildup of soot and creosote (hopefully not too much ) and it being a very 'unwelcome' surface for them to nest.

Thanks again everyone. It seems there's a bit of a split on the ultimate resolution though. Any additional thoughts are welcome.

swimmer

 

[GVA]

I wouldn't worry about anything getting in the stove during it's use. it would be summer months that would probably be more of an issue.
What I did (I think it was HarryBack that told me this) was took a coat hanger and wrapped a wad of aluminium foil into a ball about the size of the pipe and stuffed it in the opening a couple of inches.
the coathanger sticks out from the end of the pipe so you can remove it easily...
Just make sure you stick a note on the start switch so you don't try to start the stove with that in the pipe....

The Termination caps may clog but you also have several bends in that pipe from your other post and it could just be a bit more restriction for it.
But I dont know....

 

[GVA]

I see it is the basement too, and it doesn't appear to have it but I'll ask......
Do you have an Outside air kit?
Did the dealer draft test the stove?

 

[masterswimmer]

That's a fantastic idea. I like the ugly wad of aluminum foil/coat hanger trick. It was the non burning season that concerned me. I didn't think even an animal would be dumb enough to inhabit the pipe during use

You're absolutely right about the number of bends. I've got two 90's, two 'T's' and a 45. That's why we had to use 4" pipe instead of 3".

See, now the ideas are starting to come together. Thanks.

Russ

 

[masterswimmer]

I see it is the basement too, and it doesn't appear to have it but I'll ask......
Do you have an Outside air kit?
Did the dealer draft test the stove?

Yes, in the basement. No outside air kit. Yes he did draft test the stove.

R

 

[GVA]

I see it is the basement too, and it doesn't appear to have it but I'll ask......
Do you have an Outside air kit?
Did the dealer draft test the stove?

Yes, in the basement. No outside air kit. Yes he did draft test the stove.

R

Good at least it was draft tested,
I've heard about many harman dealers (none on this site) that skip this step and your's being in the basement it is a must..

 

[masterswimmer]

I see it is the basement too, and it doesn't appear to have it but I'll ask......
Do you have an Outside air kit?
Did the dealer draft test the stove?

Yes, in the basement. No outside air kit. Yes he did draft test the stove.

R

Good at least it was draft tested,
I've heard about many harman dealers (none on this site) that skip this step and your's being in the basement it is a must..

The high draft reading came in at -.55 (normal in the manual is -.5 to -.6)

The low draft reading came in at -.40 (normal is -.35 to -.45)

I'm guessing right smack in the middle is a good thing.

swimmer

 

[hearthtools]

The installer must have never serviced a pellet stove
Our record for Birds The T or combustion blower is 27 in one stove.
about 4% of our Late summer serviced have some kind of bird or bat in the T or Combustion blower because older pellet caps did not have a rodent band to keep some birds out.
When I had a Pellet master. No Combustion blower in the flue system. we use to get birds in the stove pecking on the glass wanting out.

Last week we had a Live bat in a direct vent Sterling gas stove. It got pas the Louvers in the High wind 991 Duravent Vertical cap.
So I think this guy is high if he said he has never heard of a animal in a venting system.

 

[TheSmith]

the pipe could always be closed off during the warm months, just dont forget to remove it before firing it up.I just purchased my first pellet stove and masterswimmers instalation photo is what my goal is.I would like to instal the stove in the basement and bring the pipe out through my foundation just like this.I will however bring the pipe past my roof line a foot or so with a vertical cap.the home is having a major remodel and I have new siding, so the direct vent idea makes me nervous I will damage siding with soot and or heat.any suggestions?

 

[Xena]

That just looks weird to me. Like the others said, if it were mine I'd bring it up a few feet
above the roof line and terminate with the appropriate cap.