Some retailers will offer products designed to increase a single skin pipe to adapt it to work with larger diameter flues.
Larger diameter flue systems reduce the performance and efficiency of a stove, which defeats the purpose of buying the stove in the first place. So much so, building control guidelines for UK and Ireland state "a flue should be lined to reduce the diameter to suit the appliance as over sized flues can be unsafe".
More importantly, the adapters DON'T WORK.
It is foolish to assume that clay liners are correctly installed. We are regularly called to inspect flue systems where liners have been installed upside down or with misaligned joints. These faults can lead to leakage that was perhaps not evident with an open fire. High flue gas temperatures from open fires tend not to cause condensing issues. These condensates could be further compounded when clay liners are not back filled with insulation during construction, which also is all too often the case.
Worryingly these adapters contravene building regulations in another way, and once again the misinformed retailers are palming customers off with products not suitable for use.
It is a requirement that all spigot and socket connections within a flue are orientated to ensure they contain moistures. This is the case with vitreous enamel pipe, flue liners and twin wall flue. The design of these adapters allow for the sleeve to be offered inside the existing flue, effectively an upside down joint, which encourages condensate to weep at this union point.
Imagine your frustration when you are encouraged to buy an adapter from one of these rogue retailers. Normally they do so in an effort to palm you off with a stove and cheap "solution" to get you and the products out of their door. Perhaps they are afraid to advise on the flexible lining in case they scare you off from purchasing a stove, so if they can secure the sale and reduce the initial investment you have to outlay, even though they know, or should know better.
Surely reducing the risk of condensate building up, rather than foolishly trying to contain it make much more sense. Condensate leads to tar build up in chimney, which leads to major chimney fires and structural damage. It's your property...your choice...but at least you are getting the correct advice from us.
Some retailers will offer products designed to increase a single skin pipe to adapt it to work with larger diameter flues.
Larger diameter flue systems reduce the performance and efficiency of a stove, which defeats the purpose of buying the stove in the first place. So much so, building control guidelines for UK and Ireland state "a flue should be lined to reduce the diameter to suit the appliance as over sized flues can be unsafe".
More importantly, the adapters DON'T WORK.
It is foolish to assume that clay liners are correctly installed. We are regularly called to inspect flue systems where liners have been installed upside down or with misaligned joints. These faults can lead to leakage that was perhaps not evident with an open fire. High flue gas temperatures from open fires tend not to cause condensing issues. These condensates could be further compounded when clay liners are not back filled with insulation during construction, which is, all too often, the case.
Worryingly these adapters contravene building regulations in another way, and once again the misinformed retailers are palming customers off with products not suitable for use.
It is a requirement that all spigot and socket connections within a flue are orientated to ensure they contain moistures. This is the case with vitreous enamel pipe, flue liners and twin wall flue. The design of these adapters allow for the sleeve to be offered inside the existing flue, effectively an upside down joint, which encourages condensate to weep at this union point.
Imagine your frustration when you are encouraged to buy an adapter from one of these rogue retailers. Normally they do so in an effort to palm you off with a stove and cheap "solution" to get you and the products out of their door. Perhaps they are afraid to advise on the flexible lining in case they scare you off from purchasing a stove, so if they can secure the sale and reduce the initial investment you have to outlay, even though they know, or should know better.
Surely reducing the risk of condensate building up, rather than foolishly trying to contain it make much more sense. Condensate leads to tar build up in chimney, which leads to major chimney fires and structural damage. It's your property...your choice...but at least you are getting the correct advice from us.