I bought 3 woodstoves last year but our chimney was leveled and capped years ago. I'm broke and I do mean broke. I moved back with my parents in anticipation of Y2K and spent all my money on preps. I've got one quote to uncap and build up the chimney - $700. There's no way my Dad will pay that money. I was hoping some knowledgable person in our blue-collar neighborhood would do the job in exchange for one of the stoves, if it gets that bad...but I was recently told that you need at least three days of fairly warm weather so that the mortar can set properly (or else you need a special heat machine, which no doubt requires electricity). We live in Wisconsin. I wouldn't count on 3 days of nice weather in January...My question is this: Is there any way we can ventilate the stoves out the window or something? Even if it isn't up to code? Would the ducts we have in the house for the furnace suffice? I'm at a loss about this...and hope to God I don't have to go through the irony of freezing to death while looking a 3 cold woodstoves...Many thanks for any answers and Good Luck to us All.

-- Clare Hamilton (clarehamilton@mindspring.com), November 27, 1999

Answers

Clare:

Have you looked at using the insulated metal chimney pipe? This could be installed through an exterior wall and run up along the side of the house up past the roof. These would be quicker, and cheaper than a masonry flue. Also, you might be able to install 2 of your stoves, so to have more of your house useable.

-- Bryan (BryanL@aol.com), November 27, 1999.

http://hearth.com/what/installstove.html#anchor1387590

-- clover (asif@isurewill.com), November 27, 1999.