Chimney Height

anthony7812 · Post by **anthony7812** » Mon. Sep. 16, 2013 4:22 am

I believe the height of your chimney should be 2 ft higher than any surface withen a 10ft radius, could be incorrect but I believe thats the rule of thumb. I just recently removed an oil furnace and the chimney does not clear my roof peak but it about 3.5 ft above the roof where it is located. It is about 12 ft from roof peak. Located on outside wall. I don't have the time to lay more brick this season to raise it, is thier any risk just using as is for coal or wood? If not how to you justify the insulated metal chimneys that only poke above gutters about a foot? Any thoughts?

Post by **Lightning** » Mon. Sep. 16, 2013 5:06 am

How much lower is the top of the chimney compared to the peak of the roof? How steep is the pitch of the roof?

I'm gonna say you should be ok unless you have a very steep roof AND the top of the chimney is several feet lower than the peak of the roof. Got pics?

My two cents worth

Post by **Rob R.** » Mon. Sep. 16, 2013 5:07 am

anthony7812 wrote:could be incorrect but I believe thats the rule of thumb

It is a minimum requirement, not a target spec. Your chimney might perform alright the way it is, or it may not. If it were me I would find the time to raise that chimney.

anthony7812 · Post by **anthony7812** » Mon. Sep. 16, 2013 7:19 am

Lightning wrote:How much lower is the top of the chimney compared to the peak of the roof? How steep is the pitch of the roof?

I'm gonna say you should be ok unless you have a very steep roof AND the top of the chimney is several feet lower than the peak of the roof. Got pics?

My two cents worth

Im about 18inches from being flush with roof peak. which is about 12 ft away. Not a very steep pitch, not an exact but im guessing about a 20 -25 degree slope? I thought just gettin a chimney cap and given er a go. I have been using the oil furnace since I moved in so it does pull a draft.

anthony7812 · Post by **anthony7812** » Mon. Sep. 16, 2013 7:22 am

Rob R. wrote:
anthony7812 wrote:could be incorrect but I believe thats the rule of thumb
It is a minimum requirement, not a target spec. Your chimney might perform alright the way it is, or it may not. If it were me I would find the time to raise that chimney.

I agree it needs to corrected. Just too busy right now. If I can manage I may/may not use it. If deemed too unsafe then no sense of even trieing this winter and I will have to seal it up for winter.

Post by **Lightning** » Mon. Sep. 16, 2013 7:56 am

I wouldn't give up on it. I think it would work. Although, on warmer days a few more feet of chimney could make the difference between maintaining a draft and not maintaining a draft. You have a mano? Just keep watch on warm days.

anthony7812 · Post by **anthony7812** » Mon. Sep. 16, 2013 8:05 am

Lightning wrote:I wouldn't give up on it. I think it would work. Although, on warmer days a few more feet of chimney could make the difference between maintaining a draft and not maintaining a draft. You have a mano? Just keep watch on warm days.

I wouldn't burn coal in that chimney at least this year. I thought just using a small woodstove this year as a way to burn up some limbs and branches I gotta get at before the hurricane force winter winds start a blowin here again.