I have to go from single wall pipe to triple wall pipe when passing through the second floor. Has anyone been able to convert from triple wall back to single wall? Could I cut vents in the outer pipe wall?

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), January 19, 2002

Answers

Are you self insured??? If not, and your house burns down from other causes, having makeshift stovepipe stuff might cause your compensation to be delayed.

It is a good question however, and I for one, would have saved a lot of money going back and forth between single wall and triple wall when I put my new chimney in last year.

I think that insurance companies like to see the amount of single wall pipe minimized as not only does it cause an ignition source to stuff on the inside of the house, but it also causes the chimney gases to cool to much causing buildup of creosote.

-- Gary from Mn (hpysheep@midwestinfo.com), January 19, 2002.

It is my understanding that insurers require triple wall just while passing the floor and roof structure. If I could, I want to go from single to triple to single and back to triple at the roof.

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), January 19, 2002.

I am not sure what it is called but when I went from single to triple then back I used a piece that had an opening for 6 inch then went to 8 inch I used 2 of these one on each end of the triple wall pipe through the wall. I used 1/2 inch metal screws to fasten securely. The local hardware store suggested this to me and I have no idea if it meets insurance or not but when I put in the stove I asked them to tell me how to do it right. I too will be interested on other opinions on this and I will be checking back to see what others think of how I was told to do this.

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef@getgoin.net), January 20, 2002.

Personally, I wouldn't use triple wall pipe. Why use a galvanized metal which will rust when stainless will last Much longer. The hole required for triple wall is much larger than that required for an insulated pipe such as Metalbestos. Clearance for single wall pipe is usually 18 inches so it requires putting the stove much farther out from the wall. Triple wall pipe is air cooled which means the flue gases get cooled which mean more creosote. Cost is always a factor but if you can afford it i would recommend doing it with stainless metalbestos pipe and not have to replace something every few years.

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), January 20, 2002.