Expert: James Ball - 12/7/2009

Question
I am installing a steel wood stove in my living room, The old house I live in was made in 1906, and I think it used to have a fire place. How ever at one point or another it was closed off to where now only the chimney stack exists. My question is:Can I try to use the old chimney(stack) to vent the wood stove? I would have to make a whole on the wall and tap into the chimney. Or should I run wood stove pipe through my ceiling to the attic with a 45 degree 15 ft. long pipe in attic to the side of the house and up 3 more ft up the top of the roof? and avoid using the chimney all together? I do not know much about the house or chimney. Thank you in advance.  

Answer
Hello Oscar, 1st you must check with your local building department, then be sure the existing chimney is safe and in good condition to use for the wood stove if not then you must install the new Class "A" chimney as per manufactures instruction (no 45 degree angles)
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