When not in use, during the cold season Im finding that cold air is coming through the chimney/flue back into the wood stove. Its not a strong current, but steady. My concerns: 1)I'm basically dumping cold air into my basement which is costing me money. 2)The wood stove is not air tight..so fines from ash and dust are being blown out cracks in the doors or box and I'm getting this settling around the fire place, but also particulate in the air. Its not a lot...but noticeable..and can't be good to be chronically breathing it in.
My plan is to install a damper in the flue...but not sure if this will help. Is there a component or something out there that can be installed as an air barrier to keep this from happening? I was told that for extended lengths of time when I'm not using the stove to just jam some roxul into the pipe at the wall. But I can't do this with any regularity or I'll just strip the screws on the pipe opening and closing it so often...
Thanks for any help the more experienced people can offer!
(Photo attached to show location)
https://www.internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=7738
Sounds like you need a new gasket kit. It's an easy DIY job...check the hardware store where they sell stove parts...probably around 15 - 20 bucks.
I change mine every year just to make sure it's keeping air tight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niOyCpPNyIo
I had no idea those existed! Thanks for that. I'll pick up a kit tomorrow!
https://www.internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=7738
There are two grades of gasket material...
White gaskets are rated for 1000 degrees, which can be easily surpassed in a wood stove. It happens to me once or twice a year.
Bronze colored gasket is rated to 2000 degrees...harder to surpass.
I recommend getting the bronze gasket if available...if not, the white will do the trick.
I did mine this morning and made a video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJxyjEbNcv8
My pellet stove downstairs tends to let cold air 'back flow' into the room so I bought some 4x6" 'picture magnets' at the Dollarama and cut them to size to fit over the 'warm air' vents (after it cools down). I also stuff a towel in the cold air intake after it cools down to stop the cold air coming in from the chimney, through the stove, and out into the room. It's really helps.
Denob is right about the gaskets too.....
One note: there are different size gaskets. Measure your old one and get a new one that's the same size.
Also, it's good to have extra gasket on hand and maybe even some stove cement. 😉
Gasgeting is first fix
May be a pain to access, but consider capping the top of the chimney when you are don3 with it in the spring. Also saves a bird coming down it. Had that happen to me in a home with a fireplace, couldn’t go past damper but a mess when trying to get them free and out of the house