Chimney & Fireplaces/wood stovepipe leakage

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Expert: - 10/18/2008


Question

Wood
We use a new (2007) Harman wood stove for all of our heat, day & night.  This is also the 2nd year for the stove pipe to the thimble and I removed and cleaned it before starting it up this year.  I burn relatively low overnight and this is always the way I've done it over 20 years.  No problem last year but this morning I found a stinky black liquid on the floor under the stove pipe to the thimble.  The stove pipe is 2 pieces, 40" from the curved piece off of the stove and slightly inclines to the chimney.  I've had this set up for 6 years and never had this problem. Can you help?

Answer
Hello Bob, it sounds like 3rd stage Creosote (a tar like Creosote that will run like tar or sap) it usually comes from burning your fires way to low or soft, moist wood. and the smoke pipe should always point back to the stove thus allowing the 3rd stage to run back to the stove and not leak out so the 1st piece of pipe out of the stove should go into the stove the next piece should go into that and so on. they make chemicals that can help to reduce this build up or just run the stove at the right temp and wood.
hope this helped
James Ball

James Ball

Expertise

I am a chimney sweep with over 22 years of experience, CSIA certified and member of the NCSG, I can answer questions about smoky fire places, wood stoves, and heating units (boiler and furnace chimneys) do you need a relining? A cap? And much more

Experience

over 22 years

Organizations
Chimney Safety Institute of America, National Chimney Sweep Guild

Education/Credentials
CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified

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