Expert: James Ball - 2/2/2009

Question
I'm building an outdoor fireplace opposite an indoor fireplace with the chimney containing both flu systems. I'll be using stainless pipe enclosed in cinderblock. In order to have the dampers equidistant at the top of the chimney, it seems that I'll have to bend the outdoor fireplace flu over to the side from the center. Will a slight bend (say 8" over a 4'-6' stretch) interfere with the operation of the fireplace?

Answer
Hello Jason, I am not sure what you are building or how you are doing it from what you explain, I would say start with your local building department and 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. You would need to know the right size of your chimney and fireplace size. and why would you need a "slight bend" on top? they make top mount dampers with a cable that runs down  the inside of the chimney flue.
keep me posted
James