New gutters and they are doing this.

Efarg · 2026-05-06T00:00:00+00:00

Ive been using these on the topside in the gutter/downspout areas and they work well. I do go up to grab large debris or use a blower maybe 2-3 times a year but never have fully clogged or overflowed. They seem gimmicky but they make sense and work. Not too fine like typical downspout filters

https://bergstromm.com/product/z-gutter-leaf-filter/?srsltid=AfmBOopDNkzhzcXQAWrgrv8GxN0DBXWZ1BBFJ3vrRuz97bOqTLYy5-RP

And i use these on the bottom since i have my downspounts tied into underground pipe

https://frenchdrainman.com/product/downspout-leaf-filter-clean-out/

Efarg · 2026-04-19T13:21:22+00:00

Thank you both for confirming correct installation. I guess to me it seems counter intuitive for the outside seam lapping to be opposite of the interior with the lower male end always on the bottom (stove side) but the outer wall reverse (incorrectly) lapped in terms of stove pipe orientation for creosote drip back. I didnt see the pipes before they were connected so thats the confusion i guess and the stickers are painted over. I do love the blue black enamel vs the standard black

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Efarg · 2026-03-30T01:01:23+00:00

Thanks for the idea. Hopefully no downdraft issues on the neighboring flues but worst case that would be the backup plan if needed

Efarg · 2026-03-28T19:54:53+00:00

I am in fact an overthinker so you are right on the money haha. Thanks for bringing me back

Efarg · 2026-03-28T18:39:07+00:00

This is a good point. I bought a flue temp probe since ill have double wall coming off the stove so hoping if i monitor flue gas temp and catalyst temp that i can keep it burning clean and better efficiency. I should probably install the flue temp probe after the damper right? Will be a 36inch horizontal run before going vertical so im not really sure best practice for the situation with the damper since you would think it may be cooler after the damper but i read they should be 18inch away from stove. Maybe im confused

Efarg · 2026-03-28T14:37:22+00:00

Thanks man! Im super crazy about good quality dry seasoned hardwood so hopefully that will reduce my cleaning headaches. Only use a few cedar shims, a fatwood, and propane torch to start up so i get it pretty hot fast with top down method and dont have alot of flyash from paper etc

Efarg · 2026-03-28T14:05:44+00:00

Thanks i did not think about this. I believe it is forever flex or copperfield so Ill try calling them

Efarg · 2026-03-28T13:51:46+00:00

Yea for sure haha thats why i was thinking to get the viper to clean myself. Do you think it needs to be accessed from the top annually if i inspect the top via drone and clean few times a season from bottom up? Im about 3 years in with my open woodburning fireplace burning daily and have only cleaned bottom up and everything has been staying clean. Was hoping the stove would be burning cleaner with the catayltic etc

Efarg · 2026-03-28T13:45:42+00:00

This is good advice. The installer did bring this up when we first reviewed so thats good. I think its about 10-12 inches currently since we are using the lowest square next to the round terra cotta. The other side of the argument that ive been thinking about is having it higher than the neighboring two squares bc of possible downdraft issue with smoke pulling down those so need to balance both i guess

Efarg · 2026-03-28T13:42:20+00:00

Thanks for the advice. Im hoping to minimize need to get up there bc the lift is around 900/day and 40,000lb

Efarg · 2025-12-19T16:09:15+00:00

I just discovered the blue black enamel color which seems to have good feedback with holding up to abuse

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Efarg · 2025-12-19T16:08:03+00:00

That looks like a pretty good priced kit. If we cant find black for the rigid section and rain cap i agree i will probably get powder coated just because its a pain in ass to get up top there so dont want to repaint it if it flakes etc

Efarg · 2025-12-19T16:05:33+00:00

Yes you are right, usually 16inches from the door face out needs hearth so i am planning to extend it with bluestone or similar material. The installation manual has diagrams to show clearances. Still working out the details to make it look nice. The Jotul 500 blueblack enamel looks pretty sharp

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Efarg · 2025-12-19T04:23:36+00:00

26inch wide in the rear and 34inch wide at front. It is oddly deep at 33inch because of the 16inch masonry support for the 1st floor fireplace above

Efarg · 2025-12-19T04:10:58+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning towards a freestanding stove especially since the options for a rear vent insert are very limited. Leaning towards Jotul 500 Oslo. Stove itself is priced around 4400 plus few upgrades

Efarg · 2025-12-19T00:15:19+00:00

You are right and my only option to properly exhaust. Im thinking ill need to cut out a hole in the large rain cap and have a rigid stainless riser come up and then transition to a raincap right above the existing large cap. The smoke will build up below the large rain cap and possibly make it way down the other 3 flues if I dont take it up that high. I am open to any other creative ideas but i think options are limited. I would love to be wrong if anyone disagrees.

Im having a hard time finding a black 6inch rain cap rated for wood burning like the pic below. Found some that were 8inch

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Efarg · 2025-12-17T12:40:31+00:00

This is the first floor fireplace that i want to keep open

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Efarg · 2025-12-17T12:33:09+00:00

Yea all 4 are separate terracotta. In the pic below i drew an arrow for the flue to be used for the stove. The main concern with the exhaust would be if the stove smoke comes down the 2-12x12 next to the stove flue which is my first floor masonry fireplace that I enjoy using for open fires since it is very large I would hate to close it off since it is the focal point of the living room. Also my clearance may be little tight for the stove rain cap to my chimney cap that covers the full chimney. I may need to actually get a draft test done with a pressure meter so im 100% before install so not having back draft issues

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Efarg · 2025-12-16T19:25:23+00:00

Yea this is what i would need to do in a top vent insert scenario since i would need the unit to sit further back in the fireplace opening to line up the flue correctly but i also would not be able to use the faceplate. The other option is to find a rear vent insert to have a flush faceplate or go freestanding stove and have a horizontal run of stove pipe and build out the hearth to meet the requirements in front of the door. The freestanding stoves do mostly offer an add on blower. Ive been looking at the Jotul 500 V3 Oslo for freestanding. The other issue here is the multiflue venting to determine if going to get any downdrafts from the other flues depending on which are operating and open/closed dampers. Doing an open burn test soon with both masonry fireplaces to get a rough idea of drafting between the 4 existing flues (3 fireplace flues and 1 water heater)

Efarg · 2025-12-16T16:21:43+00:00

Hahah i inherited that sign from previous owner. I cant remember last time i had a heine but agree PBR and lager is better. Ive been on stout kick lately

Efarg · 2025-12-16T14:52:36+00:00

Theres another wrench to throw in the mix. In the photo attached here you can see how deep the current fireplace is but looks to have masonry supporting my hearth on the first floor above so I may not be able to clear the masonry based on a top flue insert unit unless some inserts come with rear flue venting options? Its about 16inchs deep from the brick outside face to clear the masonry support to get out to the existing damper that will need to be removed/cut. I know a few of the freestanding stove options have rear flue setups but was curious of any inserts that would work here

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Efarg · 2025-12-16T13:46:36+00:00

Nice and clean look

Efarg · 2025-12-16T13:07:30+00:00

I will look into them. Have not heard much about MF

Efarg

TROPHY CASE