Ceramic chimneys: device and installation features

Chimney is one of the most important parts of the room heating system, in which boilers using solid, liquid and gaseous fuels are used as a heat source. True, it is worth noting that some models of modern boilers, especially gas, are equipped with a special turbine, which forcibly removes the combustion products of fuel from the premises. Turbineized models do not need a chimney. Boilers with natural draft can not operate without a chimney. The correct design of the chimney, accurately sized dimensions and materials for its manufacture, as well as full compliance with the installation technology are the key to the safety of people living in this room. Unfortunately, quite often we hear about cases when unsatisfactory condition of chimneys causes the death of whole families. Carbon monoxide has no smell, and saturation of the atmosphere in the house can not be noticed in time, especially if the breakdown happens at night. On the features of the construction and installation of chimneys, we will discuss further.

Types of installations for private houses

Chimneys are made of various materials. Let us consider some characteristics of these constructions. The oldest type of chimneys are brick mine. Such designs have their advantages and disadvantages. Among the latter, one can distinguish the cumbersomeness and complexity of the installation. Also, the non-monolithic design of the chimney facilitates the deposition of soot and dust layers on its walls, which is often the reason for the appearance of weak thrust. Now modern houses are most often equipped with prefabricated structures made of galvanized steel, ceramics or asbestos. The latter were not spread due to harmful effects on the human body, and steel structures have a sufficient number of deficiencies.

Ceramic chimneys are considered to be one of the most high-tech and wear-resistant structures. They have excellent performance:

• Anticorrosion resistance. In this regard, they significantly exceed the chimneys made of galvanized iron.
• Resistant to temperature changes.
• Accumulating properties. Due to the fact that the ceramics, from which these chimneys are made, can retain heat for a long time inside its structure, they do not form condensate.
• Low roughness of internal walls, which eliminates the settling of dust and soot on them. This aspect reduces the costs of operating the chimney.
• Mechanical strength. Such chimneys are not deformed.
• Simple installation of a chimney.
• Durability. Ceramic chimneys, if properly installed, have served for several decades, as indicated by the warranty period for such systems, which is more than 30 years.

However, it should be noted that this type of chimney has a number of drawbacks:

• The main one is their heavy weight, which requires the installation of a separate foundation for its installation.
• Also the construction of a ceramic chimney is possible only on a strictly vertical axis, different angles and transitions are impossible. This often becomes an obstacle to installing the system in existing premises without repair.
• Another negative side is the relatively high price of ceramic chimneys, which is sometimes an obstacle for homeowners. However, it is worth noting that all of the above advantages will pay off their high price, so the decision to buy a ceramic chimney will be correct.

Ceramic chimney device

The standard ceramic block, if viewed in section, consists of three main parts:

1. Vertical stacking set. It consists of several special ceramic sections, which are connected together.
2. Bearing housing or shaft. Outer shell of the chimney. Designed to support the entire structure. As a rule, it is made of special foam concrete blocks.
3. Thermal insulation. The thermal insulation layer is laid between the pipe and the supporting casing, which makes it possible to level the temperature difference so that condensation does not form inside the casing. As a heat-insulating material, basalt wool is used, which is a fireproof material.

The height of the ceramic chimney can be divided into three parts:

1. Base.
2. Trunked part.
3. Headline.

The part of the ceramic chimney that comes out on the roof is called the headband. It installs a protective element, mainly a cone, in order to protect the inside of the chimney from atmospheric precipitation and gusts that can reduce the draft in the pipe. A similar design is available for many installations, for example, the ceramic chimney Effe2.

The most saturated part of the ceramic modular chimney is the base. It is there that the condensate collector is located, the inspection window, through which the cleaning and preventive maintenance of the system is carried out, a vent window that serves as a supply of air to the chimney, and a tee for connecting the output of the heater.

Ceramic chimneys: dimensions

These design features include:

• Diameter of ceramic pipe for chimney.
• Chimney height.
• Headstock Height.

Important notes:

• The chimney diameter is specified in the specification for the heater and must be strictly observed, as it can affect the safety of people in the room.
• In terms of the height of the ceramic systems, they are required by requirements other than brick or metal chimneys. The height of the pipe from the grate of the combustion chamber to the edge of the head should be at least 5 meters.
• Particular attention should be paid to the height of the head. For a pitched roof, this parameter is influenced by the distance from the chimney axis to the top of the ridge. If the value of this parameter is up to 1.5 m, the height of the head over the top of the ridge must be at least 0.5 m.
• If the distance from the vertical axis of the ridge to the flue axis is more than 1.5 m but less than 3 m, then the headroom should be at leastheight of the ridge.
• If the intersection distance is more than 3 m, then the angle between the line drawn between the tops of the ridge and the chimney and the horizontal line drawn through the top of the chimney must be no more than 10 °.
• With a flat roof construction, the height of the chimney head should be at least 1.2 m.

In the event of a violation of these values, the draft in the chimney may be insufficient for normal combustion of the fuel.

Also it is not necessary to make the chimney too high, because you can achieve the opposite effect. With a large pipe height, it can create an aerodynamic resistance, which will become an obstacle to the escape of gases.

Features and technology of installation of ceramic chimneys

Installation instructions:

1. First of all, as we have already said, it is necessary to equip the foundation. It is necessary to maintain the weight of all elements of the chimney. If the floor in the house or apartment is concrete, then the foundation is not necessary.
2. Once it is ready, a layer of waterproofing is laid on it. As the last, a ruberoid or rubemaster is perfect.
3. A claydite-concrete block is laid on the waterproofing, inside of which is put a ceramic glass for the collection of condensate. The glass is fixed with a solution. The composition is prepared standard of concrete and sand in a proportion of 1: 3.
4. As a rule, suppliers of such systems supply a set of ceramic chimneys Schiedel, which includes all elements. This designer is selected by the manufacturer's specialists, depending on the configuration of the heater and the room in which it will be installed. All that remains is to collect it correctly.
5. An armature is used to connect the units to each other. Through-holes are located in the corners of these elements. When installing them on top of each other, the valve is inserted into the hole so that it passes through 2 blocks. Then the holes are poured with concrete. When laying the elements between them, a solution is applied.
6. So, we have already laid the first unit with a glass for condensate inside. We put on it a metal grill, which prevents the accumulation of condensate from the garbage.
7. Next, take the next block and saw off one side in it. Inside it we will install a ventilation grille. We place the block with the cut side under 90 ° from the future entrance of the heater. In the same way we place a ceramic tee.
8. We install basalt cotton wool between the ceramic element and the block. Next, a piece of pipe with the next block is mounted. Ceramic elements are joined together by a special sealant, which prevents the leakage of gas through the junction.
9. The next step is to install the tee under the boiler. Be careful that during installation the branch from the boiler exactly matches the hole in the chimney. Otherwise, gas leakage is likely when using the device. Thus, the chimney is built up to the head. At the top there is also a revision hole.
10. The head can be trimmed with a decorative brick or stone. In some cases, the lining is produced with the help of siding, which reduces the cost of work. At the mouth of the chimney a protective cap is installed.

The installation of a ceramic chimney into an existing mine is done in a slightly different way. This is done from the top down. All elements are connected on the roof and with a special device fall down. A spacer spider is installed on each part of the pipe. The fact is that modern systems are equipped with blocks of standard sizes for the diameter of the ceramic pipe. If the mine is larger, it is the spider that will hold the pipe in the middle.

Chimney care

As we have already mentioned, such structures do not require special care. However, experts recommend at least twice a year to check the chimney for leaks and quality of traction. Also at least once every two years, or earlier, if necessary, conducts cleaning of the inner surface of the ceramic pipe from dust and soot.