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Nobadays
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2020 06:19am - Edited by: Nobadays
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So... just bought some snow guard from the local metal roofing manufacturer to use as a ladder to access the chimney. The owner at the company claims he sells a lot of this for that purpose. Looks a little sketchy to me but he claims it makes great steps to climb up the roof on. I'm thinking about screwing down a D ring at the ridge and leaving a fixed rope. I have a pair of Gibbs Ascenders that with a harness would catch me in case of a fall. Hopefully I don't have to climb up there in the winter but want to be prepared.
Anyone with experience with these?
Going to replace the improper 8" flue with the correct 6" flue in a couple weeks, hoping that will help both with draft (which isn't bad now but could be better) and with creosote build up.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2020 06:53am
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Never seen that profile for metal roofing before. I would think it should work well for what your doing with it. I would screw the hell out of it.
Tell us about your current chimney.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2020 08:48am - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Less holes you put into your roof, the better. They make a wheel and hook hit made for a ladder, hook on kit, roll it up the roof till wheels come to ridge, then flip ladder over, hooks grab over ridge. Now climb up ladder. Stepping on metal with grit on shoes will damage metal roof finish too. You can add rubber cushions on ladder to soften contact when its flipped over.
Ladder Hooks
Those steps will also hold snow on the roof, metal allows it to slide off.
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ICC
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2020 09:49am
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they work great. I have use aluinum angle material as well. The snow guard can be bought in same color as the roof. They are screwed to the ribs using the self tapping metal to metal screws; short so they just penetrate the rib and have a neoprene washer.
I use snow guards around the eve edge where sliding snow might fall on someone or cause equipment damage.
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Nobadays
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2020 05:42pm
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Brett.... VC Aspen stove... 6" outlet, PO put an increaser on to 8" right at the stove. 8" runs 17' straight up to the triple wall going through the roof. VC stipulates 6" for the flue, therefore I am changing it. I think this will allow for the hot gasses to rise higher in the pipe helping to eliminate creosote issues and increase draft. The Aspen stove is known to have draft issues. We, like many others have to leave the door open a crack to increase air flow into the stove... draft, to start it and if we want a good hot fire. Some folks have no problems at all getting good draw through the stove. I surmise increasing the pipe to 8" is a big part of our problem. Installed correctly it should work well, especially with the straight pipe as we have.
Toyota, thanks! I have ladder hooks but not a ladder long enough to reach the peak and extend down where I can reach it easily... close, but takes a bit of a stretch to reach the bottom rung then climb up onto the ladder. At 65 and one armed... first I can't put the ladder up myself and second, I'm not leaping for a rung on a snowy roof.
ICC... good to hear! The Amish guy that owns Skyline Metal near swears the the snow guard makes great steps, sounds like he is right. I may put some anti slip strips on them just for added security. I got 2.5" screws with the metal and plan to span/ attach to three ribs.
I really, really hope I don't need to go up on the roof during the winter... or anytime if I can help it but I need a way to do so if it is needed. Thanks!
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ICC
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2020 06:02pm
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Quoting: Nobadays I surmise increasing the pipe to 8" is a big part of our problem.
Yes. You will see a big improvement.
Do some math; easy way is to find a circle area calculator online or an app that does all that. The math shows that an 8" diameter chimney has about a 78% larger cross-sectional area than a 6" diamter chimney. That is huge. The gases/smoke moving up the 6" chimney will have to move much faster giving a better draft.
A very air tight building will also cause some issues. If opening a window or door makes the stove easier to start then a fresh air kit will help. I have an Aspen with fresh air inlet.
I think it is better to have prepared for safer winter roof access just in case it is needed.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2020 06:18pm
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I think the 17' of single wall is also part of your problem. Cooling smoke allows creosote to drop out and a cold chimney dosnt draft.
A ladder with a wheel kit may work on a 12/12 pitch but I wouldnt chance it with a 3/12.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2020 08:30pm
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Quoting: Brettny A ladder with a wheel kit may work on a 12/12 pitch but I wouldnt chance it with a 3/12. Your reply
Heck, I wouldnt even use it for a 3/12 pitch, I would just walk up it.
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Nobadays
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# Posted: 31 Aug 2020 09:30pm
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ICC... yeah I did the math as well, I think I will see a difference. Cabin is not air tight and we usually always have a window open anyway.
Brett... you are probably right. When I can afford it, and figure out how to support it, I will likely change out the top 8-10' to double wall.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2020 06:07am
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Toyota even a 3/12 metal roof can be slick. At least mine is. I had to stand on the screw heads and any thing put down would nearly slide off. This is with no moisture involved.
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