How to Seal Vent Pipes On a Wood Stove

Check the back of the wood stove where the stove pipe attaches. Ensure that it is seated evenly onto the wood stove.

Look at each joint of wood stove pipe. Because each stove pipe has an approximately 3-inch ridged area for resting inside the pipe above it, most of these joints won't require a seal, as the pipe seals when joined together. To further ensure the pipe doesn’t move and stays sealed, add three sheet metal screws to attach the two pipes together equidistant from each other around the diameter of the pipe. Use a screw bit attached to a drill that matches the head of the sheet metal screws, either flat-head or Phillips. Paint screw heads with high-temperature paint matched to the pipe color, usually black or brown.

Check areas that have gaps in the stovepipe and add wood stove cement to these areas. Dampen a clean rag and wet the area before applying the wood stove cement with a putty knife. Press the wood stove cement into the cracks between the joints and smooth the area with the wet rag. Let dry before sanding any ridges smooth to make wood stove cement disappear.

Add high-temperature caulk to the flue area or on the roof around the wood stove pipe to prevent rain from leaking down the wood stove pipe.