Wood burning stove

[homeowner123]

Hi,

Last year I had the gas fire in the living room replaced with a wood burning stove. It's been used a few times (5-10) since then but it's still giving off a somewhat unpleasant, artificial smell when in use. Also I noticed there is a gap between the pipe and the chimney cover. I was wondering if this is safe and whether it might have something to do with the smell?

I've attached a photo.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Jackrae]

"Artificial" ??
If you've used it 5 to 10 time and it's been up to correct operating temperature (a good roaring fire in the absence of a thermometer) then any fumes from the 'paint' coating should have dispersed by now.
Get back the HETAS guy who installed it.
Does your (obligatory) CO monitor register anything when the fire's in use

 

[homeowner123]

The alarm works but does not go off when the stove is in use. I was also worried about the grey stuff around the pipe. Where do you think it is coming from?

 

[Burnerman]

The grey stuff looks like fireclay cement which is notoriously brittle and tends to fall out from positions such as yours.....it can be replaced with fire resistant rope.
Personally I found my own Morso stoves gave off a pong for a lot longer than I expected.
John

 

[homeowner123]

The grey stuff looks like fireclay cement which is notoriously brittle and tends to fall out from positions such as yours.....it can be replaced with fire resistant rope.

Ah ok thanks for the tip. Is the fireclay cement important? As you can see from the photo it seems to be missing at the back, is the stove still safe to use?

 

[JohnD]

There is a flexible fire sealant used IIRC when a metal stovepipe is in a masonry chimney.

edit
here we are

https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/sealing-a-flue-slate.179025/#post-1225447

he still has it.

 

[Burnerman]

Ideally your chimney should be lined with the appropriate stainless steel liner ( this isn't the same spec as a gas one).
It isn't necessary to seal the register plate but you will get some old soot coming down.
If the stove pipe is just sticking into the chimney void then it is best to seal it, but often it's not!
Keep the chimney well swept and your CO alarm functioning and all should be well so long as you don't suffer from down draught.
John

 

[homeowner123]

Hi, thanks. I will get the fire sealant. The stove was only installed last.year. Why do you think it has come off already?

 

[Burnerman]

Basically it is so brittle and has little bonding agent......even in ideal situations it still breaks up! Various steel clamping bands are available which can help.
John

 

[homeowner123]

Thank you John. Do you think I should call someone to apply the sealant or I can do it myself? Also, do I need to remove the old sealant first? Thank you so much

 

[JohnD]

Sorry I don't know. Never used it myself, I only remember because my Australian friend asked about it when he was over here.

ooops, you were asking Burnerman John.

 

[Burnerman]

No worries bud!
HO 123, just rake out the old stuff and apply some more.....fireclay cement smooths well itself if its wet enough and is easily worked by hand. Nothing to be worried about and its available in black or white.
It is a little irritating to the skin though so a glove is recommended.
John