Coalpail.com Forum

Like to get feed back on chimney before hand. Coal Boiler is in work shop that has no moisture issue besides daily humidity. I'm leaning towards running boiler year round for domestic hot water. I'm not in the position to do a masonry which I might regret later. Total height is 13 ft-- 7 ft will be inside. Should I do complete SS Chimney or use 7ft black pipe for inside shop and rest in SS?

Black pipe inside, SS outside.

Why is masonry not an option?

Rob R. wrote:Black pipe inside, SS outside.

Why is masonry not an option?

I would have to hire someone and at this time $$$ is getting low. Hoping SS will last couple of years so I can save up for masonry chimney.

Wiz wrote:I would have to hire someone and at this time $$$ is getting low. Hoping SS will last couple of years so I can save up for masonry chimney

get a price for Ss pipe and a masonry chimney. you maybe surprised how close they are in price

Dennis wrote:

Wiz wrote:I would have to hire someone and at this time $$$ is getting low. Hoping SS will last couple of years so I can save up for masonry chimney

get a price for Ss pipe and a masonry chimney. you maybe surprised how close they are in price

And how far apart they are in longevity. Go with the masonry, precast block and clay liners will be a lot less than the SS. The labor may be a little more but you won't have to save up for anything when you're done.

A cement block chimney, especially if not oversized, is the way to go. Remember, bigger is NOT better when sizing the flue on a short chimney.

I'm going to look into price of mansonry. Have another question on SS. If it has lifetime warranty on it why not use it? Only reason that I'm thinking is labor in replacing it.

Wiz wrote:I'm going to look into price of mansonry. Have another question on SS. If it has lifetime warranty on it why not use it? Only reason that I'm thinking is labor in replacing it.

Good point, it isn't fun to replace a chimney in January when your wife is yelling out the window "Are you done yet? It is getting COLD in here!". Several forum members have had SS liners/stacks suddenly fail to the point that it caused draft problems.

My brother is having a chimney put up right now, the man doing it also quoted SS...it was the same cost, just an opposite mix of matierals & labor.

Rob R. wrote:My brother is having a chimney put up right now, the man doing it also quoted SS...it was the same cost, just an opposite mix of matierals & labor.

I've always wondered why they just don't use Cast Iron sewer pipe as a liner. They come in 18' and 20' foot lengths and are nearly indestructible. They also weigh a tremendous amount and would be hard to handle. But, I bet they would make a great liner and provide good draft even on a relatively short chimney.

I have a neighbour that works for a well drilling outfit his work shop chimney is 6" well casing uninsulated and on the outside.

carlherrnstein wrote:I have a neighbour that works for a well drilling outfit his work shop chimney is 6" well casing uninsulated and on the outside.

we had a 10" steel pipe at home burning wood and it always sweated and water would drip out of it.Burned 30 years in it and still there.We would take a sledge hammer and wack it a few times and the creosote fell out.

Rob R. wrote:

Wiz wrote:I'm going to look into price of mansonry. Have another question on SS. If it has lifetime warranty on it why not use it? Only reason that I'm thinking is labor in replacing it.

Good point, it isn't fun to replace a chimney in January when your wife is yelling out the window "Are you done yet? It is getting COLD in here!". Several forum members have had SS liners/stacks suddenly fail to the point that it caused draft problems.

My brother is having a chimney put up right now, the man doing it also quoted SS...it was the same cost, just an opposite mix of matierals & labor.

I can attest to a SS liner failing. I ran one for 5 years on wood and 2 seasons on coal. Last season I was having a hell of a time with draft. I couldn't figure it out. So, when I shut down in the spring I noticed the bottom 2' was pin holed. I pulled it out two weekends ago and it was pin holed the full 16'. I added 2' of masonry chimney on my existing chimney and I'm going to see how it does this up coming season. Next summer I'll add more to the chimney.

EarthWindandFire wrote:I've always wondered why they just don't use Cast Iron sewer pipe as a liner. They come in 18' and 20' foot lengths and are nearly indestructible. They also weigh a tremendous amount and would be hard to handle. But, I bet they would make a great liner and provide good draft even on a relatively short chimney.

Probably the cost and how much of it you'd need to buy. It's probably impractical to buy a 6" pipe at 20' for the average Joe.

You're right about the cost, I called the local supply house and got the following prices on pipe.

Cast Iron Sewer Pipe: 6" x 10' foot is $ 23.37 per piece.

Ductile Iron Pipe: 6" x 18' foot is $ 376.56 per piece.

Keep in mind that the ductile iron is better and stronger than the cast, more like steel in strength.