Need Opinion of New Insert Installation?
The Lopi Freedom Bay wood burning fireplace insert was installed. The old damper was cut out, leaving a 6″x24″ flue opening from the smoke shelf and a 6″ round full liner is run through the old chimney space.
Sitting inside the old firebox, from the new insert’s 6″ flue outlet a 30 degree elbow of SSteel was attached to a 3′ long SS flex duct, and screwed to a solid 6″ SS round tube that 11′ long. A metal plate seals the old chimney flue and allows the SS flue extend about 4″ above the chimney dome into a SS rain cap.
My question is about how the joints need to be sealed. Only SSteel screws attach each joint of the insert, to the elbow, and to the bottom of the 11′ single wall Stainless Steel tubing. Should there be more of a seal?
With the original chimney sealed shut with the metal top plate, any leakage would come back down the chimney go into the old firebox and then out the unsealed sides of the metal trim around the insert shown in the link below. So far as I can tell, there is no smoke leaking from those joints. Thanks, Bill
http://lopi.com.au/Wood%20Products/freedom.html
Edited 12/28/2008 8:38 pm ET by BilljustBill
Replies
My SS liner is attached to the 6" insert boss with 4 SS screws. I have no flex pipe since my liner is able to flex enough to head up the flue. I think you are ok that way. The liner would have to be blocked to force flue gases out of the joint into the space.
All I've ever used was just the screws. However, on the insert I recently installed the GC doing the remodel suggested using foil tape as well. Kinda feels like belt & suspenders but feels good to have it in place.