Expert: James Ball - 11/26/2009

Question
My husband is currently installing a new wood stove from Lowe's and the instructions say to have 18" between the chimney pipe going out the wall and the ceiling. We only have about 5" gap from where the top of our exit pips through the 10" block wall will be because we are going out our basement wall to the outside and the dirt is covering most of the wall. Can this work or should we return the stove? Also, the folks at Lowe's made it sound as if the chimney pipe we bought will work fine on the outside of our house, but the instructions sound as if the pipe will build up creosote quickly if it isn't boxed in due to cold winter temperatures. One last question we had was our block wall is 10" block and this will require a 2 foot pipe going out the wall at a horizontal angle. The instructions also say 2 foot horizontal angles are the absolute max because if the pipes aren't verticle they will cause creosote to build up and can catch on fire easier. Will this be dangerous for us as well, due to the 10" block? My children's bedrooms are directly above the location my husband has picked for the installation of our new fireplace and I am very nervous about all this stuff. Thank you for your time and any help you may be able to provide us!

Answer
Hello Brandi, take the installation instructions to your local building department and they will tell you what you can do to make that "5" gap" work if you can and if not move the stoves location. what ever the instructions say you must follow and a 2' max means 2' max and most stoves tell you what type of pipe they want it in (usually double wall insulated stainless steel inside and out).
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 should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James