Expert: James Ball - 12/27/2008

Question
I live in a house built in 1916, it has 2 chimney's and the back chimney is hooked up to a gas furnace and gas water heater in the basement. Upstairs in house is a hole in chimney covered by a plate, I want to put wood stove there and hook up to the existing hole but it's the chimney that's connected to the furnace and water heater. Can I safely use this chimney for my wood stove? I know I need a carbon monoxide detector which I will get, thanks, Joan.

Answer
Hello Joan, NO you can not hook up the wood to the gas flue, they must have there own flue's. The fact that there is a "plate" in the wall indicates that the flue for the gas has a hole in it and that must be relined.
I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have. They more than likely will be able to do the reline and possibly install an other metal chimney for your wood stove.
James