*
I’d like to try and avoid having the main stack exit out the roof and am thinking of routing it up into the chimney, and have it exit out at the top. The chimney in this house is in the center of the home, and will exit the roof at the peak. The fireplace flue will have a top dampner. Is there any reason for not doing this, such as possible backdrafting of septic gases downt the flue (remember, it’ll have a top dampner on it)?
If I can’t merge all stacks into a main one, I’m thinking of having any other stacks exit out a side wall, well away from any window openings (similar to bathroom fan vents)
Is there anything procedurally wrong with this approach? The township we’re building in doesn’t have inspections, so I’m not worried about this causing problems with an inspector. Don’t get me wrong, this won’t be a slam bang affair, I just won’t have to worry about an inspector questioning why I’m not doing it the way everyone else is.
Thanks for the input. Matt
Replies
*
a couple things come to mind..
don't reinvent the wheel...if i t was such a great idea everyone would be doing it..
the vent pipe is probably PVC or ABS (unless yur using copper) so it is combustible and you'll probably run afoul of the Bldg Inspector for a code violation...
it'll look like crap comming out of the top of yur chimney
if you don't like white and a conventional vent boot , change it to copper just before it exits the roof and buy a copper / vinyl vent boot
or change it to black ABS before it comes thru the roof
and u shud be able to tie them all together before yo penetrate the roof, but check with a plumber to make sure u do it right
b but hey, whadda i know?
*Just pretendin' that I do go up thru the chimney, is there any reason I can't switch the stack over to black pipe once I get into the chimney (for combustible reasons)? I was/am aware that I can't realistically run plastic in the masonry area for heat reasons. How's this any more worse looking than having a pipe exit out the roof in another place? The masonry contractor says he can terminate the pipe at the chimney top such that it'll be virtually not noticeable. Either way I have to have a stack exit, and if it doesn't have to penetrate the roof........Not reinventing the wheel, just skinnin the cat differently.Matt
*Matt. I wouldn't do it. I assume from your question that you are useing this fireplace. If its a wood burner you will sooner or later have a chimney fire since creosote would form on the colder vent stack not to mention the plastic pipe will catch fire. If its a gas fireplace you may not have those concerns however you are now shrinking down the size of the flue AND changing the draft dynamics of the chimney. The chances are very good that the fireplace will not work at all under some conditions. Sewer gases are heavier than air so on low pressure days some odor could seep down the chimney. Last but not least its a cobbel job and if you ever go to sell the place chances are you will have to start all over. My advice is, do it right, do it once and move on to better things.
*What's so bad about pokin' another hole thru the roof, flash it right, and spray paint the white pvc a color that matches the shingles.I do this (the spray paint thing) all the time. The last on was a roof on a back bump out that was really visible from an elevated deck. The home owner was there as I put the boot on, and left. I sprayed it "terra cotta brown" or what ever the flavor of the month was, and went home for the day. Next day the home owner asked why I'd taken the "pipe down from the roof?". We were both satisfied when I pointed it out to him! Jeff
*I'm going to agree with Jeff and Mike. The stacks can be painted and most generally tied together and run out the back slope of the roof. They won't detract from your curb appeal that way.