At GMT Home Services, we prioritize fire safety for every wood stove installation. Proper setup, including safe clearances from walls and ceilings, ensures heat is contained. We use non-combustible materials around and under stoves for added protection against house fires and keep combustibles at a safe distance. We configure stovepipes and chimneys to direct heat and smoke away from your home and recommend burning only seasoned hardwood to reduce creosote buildup. We do regular chimney cleanings and surface heat testing to add to the safety. Follow these steps and local guidelines, and we’ll create a warm and worry-free space for you and your family.
Choose GMT Home Services for wood stove installation and maintenance. We’ll make warmth safe, comfortable, and long-lasting in your home—call today!
Location Selection: Choose a location for your wood stove that meets the required clearances from combustible materials like walls or wood framing.
Safety Compliance: Choose a wood stove that meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and fits your home’s size and ventilation needs.
Consider Professional Help: If you’re not experienced with stove installations, hire a professional to ensure safety and compliance.
Tools: Gather your installation tools, including sheet metal screws and an attic insulation shield, for safe and secure installation.
Planning the chimney route is a critical step in a safe wood stove installation. Following NFPA guidelines will avoid potential hazards and ensure your system works properly.
When planning the chimney route:
Clearance from Combustible Materials: The chimney pipe should be at least 18 inches from any combustible materials, such as wood framing, drywall, or insulation. This is critical to prevent overheating and fire hazards.
Chimney Pipe Material: Choose between single-wall stove pipe or prefabricated metal chimney pipe that meets NFPA standards. Both have benefits, but the key is to make sure they’re rated for high temperatures and safe for wood stoves.
Chimney Pipe Diameter: Match the chimney pipe diameter to the firebox outlet for proper draft and efficiency. Wrong diameter can cause poor performance and creosote buildup.
Chimney Pipe Length: Keep the chimney pipe as short as possible, ideally not more than 10 feet. Shorter pipes reduce draft issues and creosote accumulation.
Chimney Pipe Slope: The chimney pipe should have at least a 1/4-inch rise per linear foot from the elbow or stove outlet to the chimney inlet. This slope helps maintain a steady draft and prevents smoke from backing up into your home.
Masonry Chimneys: If you use a masonry chimney, make sure it’s properly built and maintained. Unlined masonry can cause structural problems and increase fire risk.
Existing Chimney: Inspect any existing chimney for damage or deterioration before installation. Make repairs if necessary to ensure it’s safe and functional for your wood stove.
Combustible Material Removal: Remove any combustible materials within 18 inches of the chimney pipe. To ensure safety, use a metal thimble or burned fire-clay thimble surrounded by at least 8 inches of fireproofing material.
Attic Insulation Shield: Use an attic insulation shield to prevent insulation from coming into contact with the chimney pipe in the attic space. This shield is critical to prevent fire hazards.
Chimney Fire Prevention: Be proactive in preventing chimney fires. Burn well-seasoned hardwood, run small hot fires, and inspect the chimney frequently for creosote deposits.
By planning the chimney route and following NFPA guidelines, you can have a safe and efficient wood stove installation. This attention to detail ensures the necessary clearance for combustible materials, chimney pipes, and chimney fire prevention, giving you peace of mind and optimal heating system performance.
At GMT Home Services, we help you choose the right heating solution, whether it’s an EPA-rated wood stove or a pellet stove. Our team ensures compliance with local and national building codes for safe installation. We also do pellet stove repairs, ignition failures, and regular maintenance to extend the life of your stove. We also install high-quality chimney liners and spark arrestors to prevent chimney fires and chimney liners for optimal ventilation and efficiency. Trust us to keep your home warm, comfortable, and safe.
Wood Stove: Choose an EPA-rated wood stove for maximum heat and minimum emissions.
Chimney Pipe Standards: Choose a UL 103 HT-rated chimney pipe that matches your stove.
Pipe Type: Based on your home’s layout and installation requirements, choose between a single-wall stove pipe and a prefabricated metal chimney.
Size: Make sure the chimney pipe size matches your wood stove for proper drafting and safety.
Stove Pipe Attachment: Depending on your setup, attach the stove pipe, either a single-wall or a double-wall pipe, to the wood stove.
Clearance: Check clearances from combustible materials like drywall or wood framing to prevent overheating.
Around Obstacles: Use offset elbows if needed to go around obstructions in your installation area.
To Chimney: Attach the stove pipe to the chimney pipe with a universal male adapter.
To complete the connection to the wood-burning stove, we attach the chimney pipe to the stove, choosing between single-wall or double-wall piping based on clearances to combustible materials. If your stove doesn’t have a built-in draft control, we install a damper to control the draft, maximizing efficiency and burn time for a better experience.
Chimney Pipe Setup: Install the chimney pipe from the roof down, using a laser level or plumb bob for alignment.
Support and Stability: Attach the chimney pipe to the roof and wall using a support box and brackets.
Firestop Shields: Install a firestop joist shield at each level to prevent chimney fires. Also, make sure the chimney flue is properly constructed and maintained to prevent issues like flame or smoke leakage.
Clearance Maintenance: Keep proper clearance from combustible materials like wood framing to prevent fire hazards.
For multi-level installations, we cut holes through the ceiling and floors to create clear paths. Our team removes insulation around these paths and uses firestop shields to maintain clearances through structural components and reduce fire hazards.
Our industry-leading cleaning and repair company operating in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. With a proven 12-year track record, we’ve successfully completed over 2,781 projects in the area. With years of professional experience and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, we consistently uphold our legacy of excellence in every job we complete.
Roof flashing is a must to prevent water leaks and protect your roof. We use high-quality silicone and cut an oval-shaped hole around pitched roofs to create a weather-tight seal that will last for years and be leak-free.
Once the flashing is in place, we start assembling the chimney pipe sections. We add storm collars and rain caps as the final layer of protection to prevent water from entering the system. For chimneys over 5 feet above the roofline, we install the roof line brace kits to stabilize them and keep everything in place during bad weather.
A wood stove chimney exhaust fan is a great addition to your heating system to improve airflow and efficiency. By the air circulation actively pulling smoke and gases out of your chimney, these fans help maintain a good draft and prevent backdrafts that can bring smoke into your home. At GMT Home Services, we install and maintain chimney exhaust fans for wood stoves.
Our team of experts will ensure proper installation according to local and national safety standards. This will not only make your wood stove more efficient but also make your home safer by reducing the risk of chimney fires and smoke-related issues. Whether you need a new exhaust fan installed or need to upgrade your existing system, call GMT Home Services for service and advice.
Final Check: Perform a thorough inspection to make sure the installation meets NFPA standards and is safe.
Certification: Get certified by a qualified inspector for peace of mind and documentation for future reference.
Documentation: Keep records of your installation and any maintenance done for easy reference and long-term maintenance.
At GMT Home Services, we approach every wood stove and chimney installation with precision and attention to detail. Here’s how we do each step of the process so your wood-burning system is efficient and safe.
With years of professional experience and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, we consistently uphold our legacy of excellence in every job we complete.
Ensure the safety and efficiency of your fireplace by scheduling your relative chimney service with GMT Home Services today we are committed to providing top-notch various chimney services to ensure your home is safe and your fireplace is running efficiently.
Our experienced technicians offer a comprehensive range of chimney services tailored to your specific needs. From thorough cleaning and inspections to repairs and maintenance, we’re committed to keeping your home safe and your fireplace functioning optimally.
Experience the benefits of a cleaner, healthier home by scheduling your required chimney service with us today.
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