Chimneys for a sauna stove ensure high-quality removal of fuel combustion products from the boiler. The durability and fire safety of the building depend on the correct choice of their device, material and competently executed manufacturing technology. The pipe for the sauna stove needs to be cleaned periodically. You should dwell on a design that will need this procedure as rarely as possible, and it will be carried out as quickly and simply as possible. A wide range of ready-made chimneys for the sauna stove is on sale. In order not to get confused in this variety, you need to consider the features of each product, evaluate its pros and cons, rules and installation methods.
What designs are best for a bath
A pipe for a stove in a bath is a structure that is subjected to increased loads based on its purpose and operating conditions. Based on this, special requirements are imposed on the pipe in the bath. Their implementation largely depends on the properties of the material from which the chimneys are made.
Brick
Brick has been used for the construction of chimneys for centuries and is still popular due to its advantages:
- strength;
- reliability;
- average thermal conductivity;
- stability;
- durability;
- Fire safety;
- heat resistance;
- heat accumulation.
The material also has drawbacks. It takes a lot of effort and skill to make a good masonry. The walls of the canal are rough and uneven. Soot settles on them, which gradually blocks the passage, which leads to a decrease in thrust until it stops completely. In addition, one should not forget about the load created by the massive structure.
Chimney sandwich
The structure consists of two pipes of different diameters, inserted one into one. The inner section is steel or ceramic, for the manufacture of the outer one is used stainless steel. Stone wool, which has high thermal insulation properties, is laid between the walls. The girders are docked with each other in the socket, the joints are sealed.
Product advantages:
- low thermal conductivity;
- fire resistance;
- a smooth inner surface that does not collect soot;
- quick and easy assembly;
- durability;
- durability and stability due to the double circuit.
There is only one drawback of a sandwich chimney - high cost. Self-production is fraught with great difficulties due to the complexity of the technology.
Steel pipe chimney
Making a chimney in a bath from an iron pipe is much easier than from bricks, and cheaper than from sections with double walls. For the manufacture of the channel, iron pipes for water supply or cast iron pipes for sewage, equipped with sockets, are used.
The advantages of steel chimneys:
- smooth surface;
- ease of installation;
- strength;
- durability.
Among the disadvantages is the tendency of iron to corrode. Condensation forms a caustic mixture of water and creosote that can corrode even stainless steel. In addition, the metal becomes very hot from the gases passing through it. This requires the provision of high-quality thermal insulation to prevent ignition of the roof and adjacent walls.It should not be forgotten that a rusty pipe will not be the best decoration for a sauna.
Types of heat exchanger and its role in sauna stoves
Heat exchangers are designed to heat water with the energy of the boiler and transfer it to the shower room. There are several options for installing the heating system. The decision is determined by their own priorities and the size of the premises in the bath.
You can choose the following installation options:
- In the steam room. Here, the entire volume of water is heated at once, which is fed through pipes to the shower room. To dilute it to the desired temperature, another tank is suspended above the ceiling to ensure normal outlet pressure. The disadvantage of such a system is that the useful volume of the steam room decreases.
- In the shower room. This design is good in that the useful area of the premises is practically not infringed. The downside is that it is necessary to manufacture a complex pipeline system.
- In the attic. This is convenient, since the rooms are not cluttered, the pressure in the taps is excellent. The disadvantage of this solution is that the tank needs to be well insulated, and refueling is a lot of inconvenience.
By the way of arrangement, heat exchangers are divided into the following types:
- Built-in. The circuit is located inside the boiler, due to which the water heats up quickly, the device can work even in a flow-through mode. However, there is a risk that the water will boil and the metal will deform and burn out. Repair will require disassembling the entire oven, which is quite difficult and costly.
- Suspended. The heat exchanger is mounted near the chimney. The plus is that there is no risk of liquid boiling and destruction of the circuit from extreme heat. The disadvantage is the slow heating of water and the complexity of installation.
The heat exchanger must be made so that it is efficient, convenient, safe and does not spoil the interior of the bath. Heat-resistant finishes, paint or film can be used to decorate pipes and the tank. A good solution is to make decorative boxes from waterproof plasterboard. After assembly, these structures are plastered, painted or tiled under the background of the wall or ceiling.
Chimney installation methods
Internal location
The whole structure is located strictly vertically. The pipe is fastened to the side pipe of the boiler or directly to the upper part of its body. The chimney is assembled in accordance with the technology inherent in the selected material. The brick pipe is best folded into a square section to make it easier to work and clean the channel. Metal links should be installed from bottom to top, building up the structure in stages. The joints are treated with a heat-resistant sealant and closed with flat clamps. The upper part of the chimney is placed at a level not less than 50 cm above the ridge or 100 cm of a flat roof.
Advantages of internal lining:
- ease of installation;
- lack of corners, which contributes to good traction and a decrease in the amount of deposits;
- ease of cleaning a dirty channel;
- additional heating of the room and attic;
- less condensation after the end of the furnace.
To make a pipe in a bath, it is necessary to break the integrity of the ceiling and roofing. Arranging the correct passage through the floors requires an additional investment of time and money. A very hot pipe is a fire hazard. Measures must be taken to insulate the chimney.
External location
This decision is made when the boiler is in close proximity to the external load-bearing wall, the area of the room is limited. The starter element is connected to the boiler outlet and is led out through a hole in the wall. Then the smoke goes into a vertical pipe or into a box lined with bricks on the wall. The second option is more laborious and costly, but it allows the use of thermal energy to heat the room. When bringing the channel out, it is necessary to avoid right angles along its length. These areas reduce traction and are places where soot, dust and debris can accumulate. The problem is solved by using a bend in which a condensate collector is provided.
The advantages of outdoor technology:
- the integrity of the floors, the absence of potential leaks;
- saving free space inside the bath;
- simplicity and speed of installation;
- fire safety, since the chimney does not come into contact with combustible materials and surfaces;
- ease of maintenance and repair.
There are also drawbacks to the external design. The main one is the formation of condensation during heating and cooling. Making such a pipe into the bath with your own hands, you need to take care of its insulation or use a sandwich section. The second disadvantage is that there is no possibility of full use of the released thermal energy that goes out of the room to the outside. This leads to increased fuel consumption.
Chimney passage through ceilings
Before installing the internal chimney, it is necessary to calculate the direction of its passage in order to avoid sticking into the rafters. If for some reason this is impossible, you need to use contours, but it is better to immediately choose such a place for the boiler in order to put the chimney strictly vertically.
The passage through the ceilings is done in the following sequence:
- A square hole is drilled in the ceiling with a side 20 cm larger than the pipe cross-section.
- A similar hole is made in the roof covering. The wooden structures next to it are protected with mineral wool.
- 2 squares are cut from a sheet of asbestos cement with sides 10 cm larger than the holes made earlier. They are fixed on the base using self-tapping screws or heat-resistant glue.
- A chimney is drawn through the lining.
- The remaining gaps are sealed with a heat-resistant sealant.
- An elastic element is pushed onto the pipe over the roof. It is pressed against the chimney with a plastic tie, and against the roofing with waterproof glue.
Finally, a cap is attached to the pipe head to prevent water, debris, birds and insects from entering the channel.
