Modern baths with a built-in chimney began to look much more attractive than those that our ancestors had. They had to wash and bathe "in black". Now in the baths there is no settling soot or carbon monoxide. In this article we will tell you what a chimney for a sauna stove should be like and how to install it yourself.
What is a sauna stove chimney?
Before you write about the requirements for a chimney, you need to understand what it is. In ordinary terms, this is a kind of pipe that removes combustion products from the furnace and provides draft to support this process. That is, the chimney for the sauna stove removes smoke and creates draft.
Types of chimneys
Designs have several classifications, most often they are divided into:
- internal;
- external.
The former are most often found in Russian baths. They do not violate the unified architectural style of the steam room; from the point of view of economy, this is the best option. Allthermal energy remains indoors. Such a chimney for a sauna stove is easy to operate, easy to care for, it does not require additional insulation, and its draft is much better. What can not be said about external structures. To install them, you need to make a hole in the roof of the bath, which in itself is not very beautiful.
Chimneys are made of the same materials as the constructions for fireplaces and other similar equipment. Most often produce stainless chimneys. In addition to steel, ceramics and bricks are widely used. Very often you can find combined models, where a steel pipe is installed inside a brickwork. Sometimes a ceramic outlet is hidden in stainless steel chimneys. It is forbidden to use aluminum and asbestos cement in saunas and baths, since the level of thermal conductivity and fire resistance of these materials is very low.
Design requirements
The chimney in the bath must meet certain requirements:
- The inner surface of the outlet should be as smooth as possible, this will help reduce the amount of soot deposited in the future.
- To achieve the best draft, the chimney must have a round section. In this case, the air will meet the least resistance.
- If you use a rectangular or square chimney, then the area of \u200b\u200bthe internal section must correspond to the power of the firebox. For example, for a 3.5 kW furnace, a section of 140140 mm is required, 5.2 kW - 140200 mm, etc. The same applies to oval sections.
- In order for the traction force to be optimal, and soot is deposited as little as possible on the inner sections of the pipe, it is necessary that the flat and horizontal pipes have a total length of no more than one meter.
- When the chimney crosses the roof deck, a fire barrier must be installed. There should be no junction of pipes in these places.
Different chimney layouts
Any chimney in the bath is composed of a pipe, flanges and fittings. It is better to position the structure closer to the inside of the wall. In this place, the chimney will not give off thermal energy to anywhere, and the draft will be the most efficient. If this does not work, then there is another way to save heat - to insulate the walls. The cooling rate of the pipe depends on the temperature outside. For regions with severe and prolonged frosts, it is better to make solid walls 58-68 cm thick, for others 38 cm are also suitable. Each stove has its own chimney. The dissection device is made at a height of 75 cm.
According to the installation method, there are two types of chimney: attached and mounted. The latter is attached to the outlet and usually has the usual shape. Such a chimney is most often brought out through the roof. Attached structure is mounted to the side wall of the furnace or boiler. Such a chimney is led out into the street through the wall, after which the pipe is raised vertically to a predetermined height.
Installing a chimney to a metal stove
Installation of the chimney begins whenwhen the oven is installed. To do this, you need retaining supports, which, thanks to the gaps for expanding the pipes, are perfectly attached to the structure. It is best to use not iron bends, but "sandwich" channels. The upper part of the pipe is equipped with a cone-shaped iron plug. It will protect the chimney from rain. As for the lower part of the outlet, it is closed with a traditional plug for cleaning pipes and draining condensate.
Installing a chimney with a brick stove
The brick chimney is usually laid out on its own along with the stove. The construction of the installation begins when the laying of the last row of firebox stones is completed. Some begin to create a chimney when the brick hides the side doors of the heater. On the 21st row of masonry, two branches are formed, each of which will be one brick wide. Above, they will merge into a single channel. The space above the core is covered, and the gap between it and the taps is filled with mineral wool. On the 22nd row, the free space is completely hidden, and the process of connecting the branches into a single channel begins. Gradually, the brick chimney is narrowed until the space inside becomes equal to the width of one stone. In this place, 2 valves are installed in a row. After styling, it turns into a classic fluff. If you are not very familiar with the brick installation technology, then such a task as building a chimney with your own hands is beyond your power. Care must be taken to ensure that cracks do not form during masonry.
How to install a chimney yourself?
The easiest way is to make a stainless steel chimney for a sauna stove. For self-assembly, you will need some tools and materials:
- 3 galvanized elbows, 2 of which are 16120cm, 1 is 20120cm;
- tee with 16 cm plug;
- 3 stainless steel elbows - 1610cm;
- 20 cm fungus.
All pipes must be fastened with self-tapping screws. A hole with a diameter of 16 cm is made in the roof slab. Thermal insulation, tiles and other materials that are on the roof near it must be removed. The outer part of the pipe is wrapped with bas alt wool and tightened with an additional asbestos cord. A pipe is put on top of it, fastened and coated with a solution of bituminous mastic. To avoid gaps between the taps, you also need to wind the asbestos cord. This will save the pipes from moisture and the formation of mold and mildew.
What to do with the finished chimney?
There are ready-made chimneys, the price of which starts from 400 rubles per 1 unit. How to install them correctly? The smoke exhaust pipe is placed so that the exit to the outside is at least 50 cm. At the junction of the roof with the chimney, an "otter" is made - a sealed strobe to protect the pipes from precipitation. If soot appears inside the channels, then the chimney is installed poorly, perhaps there are cracks or gaps in the structure that cause the resin to settle on the surface.
Cleaning the chimney for the sauna stove
Absolutely any chimneys, the price of which is 500 or 5000 rubles, need constantcleaning. It is best to use a mechanical cleaning method using brushes and special weights. It happens that this procedure is accompanied by blows of a sledgehammer with a hammer. It is advisable to clean stainless steel chimneys outdoors, as this is a very dirty job with a lot of dust and soot. Usually, the remaining elements of the chimney are covered with bags or newspapers in advance. You can use a regular brush, it is pushed into the canal. As soon as the resistance of soot weakens, then the pipe is completely cleared.
Some owners of baths clean their chimneys in a special way, photos of such manipulations are found in construction magazines. They throw a ball of snow into the chimney. You can clean the pipe by tapping its contour with a hammer from the outside. Many attendants use aspen firewood, which creates a special thrust when burned. It allows you to take out the ashes from the pipe. The strong dry heat of aspen and coniferous trees contributes to the faster combustion of resinous substances in pipes. Some resort to more economical options. Potato peelings have the same properties as aspen firewood. However, it is not always possible to procure raw materials in the right quantity. But if such an opportunity exists, then this will save your costs and effort several times.
There are special chemicals that clean the chimney. Photos, cost and characteristics of such funds can be found in various construction publications. The preparations take out all the soot with them, some substances loosen the soot, and itfalls off on its own. Experienced bath attendants advise cleaning chimneys in baths after rain.
Proper installation, easy maintenance and timely cleaning - everything you need for efficient operation of sauna stove chimneys.
