Expert: James Ball - 8/20/2009

Question
Our house was built in 1993 with a Heatilator CR36D 2 sided ("L" shape) wood burning manufactured fireplace.  They also installed vented gas logs.  It is currently installed at floor level, but with my remodel of the room I want to raise it up 12" or so and build a stone hearth.  When removing the drywall and framing above the fireplace I see a 24" straight vent section (Heatilator SL1124) that could be changed as required for the new height of the fireplace.  To accomplish this I have 2 ideas:
1. Buy the closest length Heatilator pipe that will work and adjust the height of the fireplace as required to make the pipe fit properly.
2. Figure the exact length pipe I will need, cut the 24" inner and outer pipe, and crimp the ends closest to the fireplace just enough to get the ends to fit together.  I wouldn't put and screws through the inner pipe, but based on the way the pipes are made and that there is a 30 degree adapter on each end of the 24" piece, as long as I secure the outer section well (at least 4 screws) the inner section would be trapped and held together with no chance of coming apart.  Since the factory connections between pieces aren't really sealed - just a slip fit with press-in tabs to keep them together - I would think this approach would work.
So what do you think?  Am I crazy to propose option 2?  That would save me the cost of the new part as well as giving me freedom to put the fireplace exactly where I want it.

Answer
Hello Roger, first contact Heatilator and ask them what they think and you must follow what they say. as far as option 1) most fireplaces are build from the ground up and to just "slip in a shorter piece" might not work. Option 2) you can not modify their pipe in any way or use screws in that system if they did not use them to begin with.
you might have to remove and replace the whole system to the high you want would be the best and safest way.
James