How to Cut a Hole Through a Wall to Vent a Pellet Stove

Locate the round vent pipe for the pellet stove and insert it into the back of the stove. Push the stove up to the wall where you are installing the vent until the pipe touches the wall. Trace around the perimeter of the pipe with a pencil then move the stove and pipe out of the way.

Put on protective eye wear then insert a 1/4-inch drill bit into a drill. Center the bit inside the pencil lines and drill through the wall material until you reach the hollow wall cavity. Remove the bit and set the drill aside.

Straighten a wire clothes hanger and form it into an “L” shape. Insert the end into the hole and twist it 360 degrees to ensure you don’t meet any resistance. If the wire swings freely, there are no studs, wires or plumbing pipes behind it.

Cut out the remainder of the hole with a hole saw bit attached to the drill. Grasp the center area and pull it out of the hole by hand.

Reach inside the hole until you touch the material on the exterior of the wall, which may be wood, vinyl or brick. Insert a 5- to 6-inch long nail through the material with a hammer so you can locate the area outside of the home.

Walk outside and locate the nail shaft that extends from the wall. Tap it with the hammer to push it back inside the wall.

Cut the hole with the hole saw bit and drill if the wall material is wood or vinyl siding. If desired, you can also cut the hole for these materials with a reciprocating saw. If the external wall is brick, drill small 1/2-inch-deep holes around the perimeter of the opening with a masonry drill bit. Then break out the center brick material with a chisel and hammer.

Proceed with the installation of the vent pipe for the pellet stove.