Add a Wood Stove to an Existing Fireplace Flue

A wood stove is a great way of warming a room, and if you have a fireplace flue already, then installing a wood stove onto this flue is not very difficult. A fireplace itself is not a very good conductor of heat, so you may find that a stove is the best way of using a natural product without sacrificing warmth. This kind of installation can be a bit intimidating to the inexperienced home improvement fan, but if you have some knowledge of fitting and tightening pipes, and you feel confident that you can install a wood stove in your existing stove, then by following a few simple guidelines, you can get this project done quickly, and to a high standard.

Checking the Chimney

Before you decide to install the wood stove into the flue, you need to properly check the chimney to ensure that it is not blocked, contaminated, or otherwise unsuitable for use. Older chimneys, in particular, may not be suited to be used in a modern home setting. Chimneys like this can be poorly ventilated, so check your fireplace flue before installing your stove. If you find that it is blocked, then you can install your stove a little further up the flue, or even just place the wood stove pipe directly up to the roof, bypassing the chimney completely. If you have checked your fireplace flue and are satisfied that it is in full working order, then you can proceed with the installation.

Make a Hole

You will be installing the pipe into the chimney coming from the outside, so you will need to make a hole in the flue where you want the stove pipe to enter the chimney. Use a masonry hammer to take down any bricks or stones that are in the way of the pipe, and then install the pipes so that the stove leads to the flue.

Fill in the Hole

You will now have a hole with a stovepipe in the center. Fix the hole by taking the bricks which you previously took down, and replace them around the hole as tightly as you can manage. You may need to cut some of the bricks in half to ensure a good seal, but this should not be too difficult.

Add a Damper

Your fireplace flue will require a damper below the place where the stove penetrates the wall. This will help to prevent noxious gases from traveling the wrong way down the flue, and into the room via the fireplace. You can purchase dampers at local home improvement stores. Install them at the beginning of the flue, by the fireplace, and then seal off the air holes using sheet steel insulation and caulk.

Finishing

Once all the pieces have been installed, caulk around the edges of the chimney, and seal all holes. You should leave the caulk to dry fully before using the stove and install a carbon monoxide alarm just to ensure that you are fully protected.