Mar 28, 2019

How to make a chimney with your own hands

The chimney, as you know, belongs to the category of building structures used to remove combustion products and generate the necessary traction in furnaces. Errors in manufacturing can lead to serious disruptions in the operation of the heating device as a whole (for example, noticeably reducing its cravings).

In this article we will tell you how to make a chimney with your own hands for your home and bath, consider the chimney option for a gas boiler, and also give photos and video instructions.

Choice of construction

Chimney construction

Before the beginning of work on the arrangement of the chimney you should decide on the material used for its manufacture. The main criteria determining the choice of such structures is their strength and durability. In addition, they must meet the following requirements:

operate in high temperature mode;
maintain their functionality at low temperatures;
have protection against condensate and aggressive acid environments;
meet all fire safety requirements.

Today, for the manufacture of smoke extraction systems, not only traditional brick is used, but also materials such as steel and plastic, for example. At the same time, a steel structure with universal properties and adapted to work in the most critical conditions is today considered the most suitable option for arranging a chimney. Recently, stainless steel chimneys (with the addition of molybdenum), which provide excellent conditions for removal of combustion products, are beginning to be in great demand.

How to make a chimney with your own hands The advantages of steel chimneys

Steel chimneys have a number of advantages, among which the following :

versatility and durability;
low weight, which considerably simplifies their installation;
can be installed in an already rebuilt building;
minimum footprint.

The following chapters of our article will be devoted specifically to steel chimneys.

Principles of manufacture

How to make a chimney with your own hands Elements of chimneys

Consider the principles on the basis of which the selection of elements of the steel diverting structure is made and the question of how to properly make the chimney is solved.

The most optimal form of a chimney is traditionally considered to be a cylinder, which ensures unimpeded exit of smoke to the outside and minimizes the deposition of soot on its walls.
The dimensions of the chimney are determined by its parameters such as the height of the pipe and its diameter. The diameter of the pipe is usually chosen on the basis of the power of the heating equipment used, as well as taking into account the local conditions of the gasket (in particular, the presence of ready-made holes and barriers).
Its height is determined in accordance with the applicable construction standards for objects of the selected category.
To ensure unimpeded hot air movement, horizontal gasket sections should not exceed 1 meter in length. With their greater length, it will be very difficult to get good traction without the formation of soot.
In the event that the diameter of the outlet of the fireplace, furnace and boiler differs noticeably from the diameter of the chimney pipe, you will have to use a special reduction adapter with a hermetic design.

How to make a chimney with your own hands Installation

The most important component of the chimney arrangement is its reliable insulation (insulation ), helping to reduce the amount of condensate in it. Insulation should also be provided in the places where pipes pass close to flammable building floors, as required by fire safety regulations. Such areas are usually laid with asbestos cloth or other non-combustible material.

The part of the pipe located outside the building (on the street) should have an additional fastener that protects against strong wind gusts. Its protection from precipitation and clogging is carried out using a deflector or grid. It is necessary to take into account the fact that each heating structure must have a corresponding type of protection determined by the same building codes.

Prefabricated (single-wall) chimneys

How to make a chimney with your own hands Assembling a steel chimney

Prefabricated systems belong to the category of the most simple solutions used in the construction of smoke channels that do not require any significant costs for their implementation. The system includes a standard set of purchased items, with the help of which, like a designer, chimneys of almost any complexity are assembled.

All elements of such a system are articulated among themselves according to the bell-face scheme known to any builder. They are very convenient because they can be mounted in ready-made brick or ceramic channels.Such systems are intended mainly for installation in the interior spaces of heated premises; in the case of their outdoor placement, the use of thermal insulation is mandatory.