Tricks for Installing Stove Vent Work

Run it Vertically

• The more vertical run you can add to the stove vent work, the better it will draw air through the stove and the vents. This increases the efficiency of the combustion and prevents smoke and fumes from blowing back into the home. For a pellet or wood stove, at least 5 feet of vertical venting is recommended by Breckwell Heating. Try to keep the vertical sections of the pipe together instead of placed steps of horizontal vents between short vertical sections.

Use the Right Vents

• The type of fuel used in the stove determines which type of vent pipe will work. Gas stoves don't produce as much heat in their exhaust, making gas stove vents inappropriate for venting a wood or pellet stove. These types of stoves require double-walled pipes with a stainless steel layer for the inner wall. Gas stove pipe uses aluminum inside, which can melt when used with the wrong type of stove.

Use a Chimney

• If your home already features a masonry chimney from an open fireplace, using it to run the vent work saves the time and effort of cutting a new path through the walls. Although the vent pipe can be connected to the existing fireplace opening for less work, running a complete vent pipe line through the existing chimney is preferred, says the Chimney Safety Institute of America. This ensures the proper draw for good combustion, and prevents leaks in the masonry from causing a health risk.

Total Height

• The end of a stove vent pipe must be at least 3 feet taller than the highest point of your home's roof, according to Ace Hardware. This prevents sparks and hot ash from falling back onto the roof while still burning, and causing a fire. If you run the vent work out of a wall or window opening horizontally, make sure it extends by 3 feet past the gable of the roof and is at least 5 feet below the roof line.