How to Vent a Wood-Burning Fireplace Through the Roof
- 1). Make two phone calls before you get started. Place the first call to your local housing authority for information on installing a wood burning fireplace. In some communities, the installation of a new one may be illegal. Make the second call to your insurance agent. Some homeowner policies do not cover damage from fire if a wood burning fireplace is in the home. If you clear both of those hurdles, gather your supplies.
- 2). Check the manufacturer’s specifications that came with your fireplace. They will tell you how much room you need between the vent pipe and surrounding combustible materials. This is the determining factor in the hole you cut through your ceiling and roof.
- 3). Measure the distance from the opening vent in your fireplace to the highest tip of the chimney. The distance your chimney vent will rise above your roof depends upon local code and the proximity of nearby houses. If your chimney cap is too low, hot ashes may fall on your neighbor’s roof. Refer to the manufacturer’s specs and call the building inspector.
- 4). Purchase triple-wall pipe to run the fireplace vent through the roof and all the way to the top of the chimney cap. Use the reciprocating saw and cut only the area needed to insert the pipe. Try to avoid cutting through supporting beams or joists. If you do, you must reinforce the beams with headers to restore the structural integrity of the roof.
- 5). Install the fire stop collar on the portion of the triple-wall pipe that extends between the ceiling and the roof. This metal collar protects the surrounding wood trusses from sparks.
- 6). Attach vent braces between the triple-wall pipe and the roof trusses to hold the pipe securely while you level it.
- 7). Place the roof flange around the triple-wall pipe where it extends above the roof. If you have shingles, flash the flange into place to prevent leaking. Attach the flange to the pipe and to the roof with screws. Use 100 percent silicone caulking around the roof flange to seal the gaps. Avoid using regular caulking as it could melt, creating a water problem.
- 8). Place a chimney cap on top of the vent pipe. The cap protects from debris falling into the vent and it provides a sideways draft to allow smoke and soot to escape. Fasten securely with the screws provided and use the silicone caulking to seal the seams.
- 9). Replace any shingles removed during the process and repair the inside of your ceiling to match the existing ceiling.
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