Many months ago before the waterproof membrane, earth sheltering, PV
panels and solar water heater were put in place on the roof I had to
decide the exact location for the three wood burning stoves in order for
the holes to be cut through the concrete and a section of chimney flue
to be installed. in each hole. The idea being that at the appropriate
time these sections of flue would be attached to the corresponding
stoves. Fine in principle.
The bedroom stove was fitted first and required only a very slight adjustment to ensue a perfect alignment of the flues.
When
the cook stove which weighs 450kg was delivered it was carefully man
handled into the correct position to align the flue in the ceiling with
the flue connection in the stove. See earlier post.
However,
when the team that were doing a magnificent job clearing up after the
flood and mud fiasco, despite my explicit request not to move the stove,
decided to some how shift it from its original position when cleaning
around it. I therefore had to get another team to move it back into
position before the plumber fitted the piping for the water heating
jacket inside the stove.
Unfortunately it was not until
the chimney flue came to be connected that it was realised that the
flues were now not exactly aligned. Even with sufficient manpower
available the stove could not be moved due to all the water piping
attached. Hence I have ended up with a flue pipe that has a distinct
curve. I know that in the great scheme of things this does not mean much
but, given the attention I have had paid to other such details, it is a
constant source of annoyance. I take heart in the fact, however, that in
a few years the flue pipe itself will probably discolour and need
replacing and I will then be able to have the issue resolved.
As with a lot of things here in Crete nothing is ever straightforward.
The
team fitting the chimney flues had arrived to do the job without the
corresponding external flue pipes and cowls!! They did not know when
these would be available and the job completed. Luckily George, the
project manager, was on hand to explain to them, in Greek, in very
clear, and as the way here, very loud terms that there would be no money
for their work until the job was finished. Two hours later they
returned and fitted the external flues and cowls!!
There
still remains the chimney flue for the proposed masonry stove in the
main room. With the design I am currently envisaging I will ensure that
the flue is correctly built into the stove as it is constructed. See
earlier Masonry Stove posts for more details.
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| Fitting the internal flue for the bedroom stove. |
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| The bedroom stove in all its glory. |
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| The cook stove flue fitted in the main room. |
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| External chimney flue and cowl for cook stove. |
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| Looking east across the roof showing position of the two flues fitted. Note the new vent windows/doors (see previous post) and a water channel filled with gravel to keep any excess surface water away from the vents. |
