Combustion Air

[GG Woody]

I guess my question now is, does a chimney chase suppose to be sealed? If it is, I will have my problem resolved as soon as I can. Perhaps pull off the siding and filling the gaps with fireproof sealant. I frankly don't know why I didn't connect the two things but I suppose I didn't imagine chase air as being part of the systems. Hope I'm not too excited about an easily sounding, and easily doable, resolution...

Well, if the "chase" is not sealed and the fan plenum is open to the chase I see an easy route for the draft.
If the plenum is sealed and the combustion pipe is open to the "chase" I see an easy route for your combustion air.
My chimney is not sealed, I piped combustion air into it.

 

[Rotro]

I understand. I previously asked for an addendum from the manufacturer that the installation manual is wrong for warranty purposes at least. I doubt I get it. They got their money. Most people wouldn't even ask. What am I going to do about it?

Getting a PE who actually knows about chimneys in my area is like stumbling upon a unicorn in the woods. I've been through that with the footing being wrong.

 

[Rotro]

Well, if the "chase" is not sealed and the fan plenum is open to the chase I see an easy route for the draft.
If the plenum is sealed and the combustion pipe is open to the "chase" I see an easy route for your combustion air.
My chimney is not sealed, I piped combustion air into it.

I guess in my view, if they are using the chase as part of their "systems," it needs to be sealed to only allow their systems. Not gaps to outside air.

 

[GG Woody]

I guess I forget that this should be someone else's problem, not yours, since it was contracted out. I guess they are their systems and your systems...

 

[Rotro]

I agree. I've been complaining about the insert blowing air and they have defended their position apparently backed by the manufacturer. I've not brought up the chimney issue yet - which they also installed - because I didn't relate the two things.

Even if they don't come to fix it, sealing the gaps with fireproof caulking is something I can do over a weekend just to see. If it doesn't, I'll be back. But it's a very reasonable explanation of the exact problem.

Thank you so much sir. You have no idea how happy I am to have come to this website.

 

[GG Woody]

The first on my to do list would be sealing the fan plenum and getting the combustion intake out of it.

 

[Rotro]

If sealing up the chimney resolves the air blowing into the house, that will be next. Then I will know what's going on.

 

[begreen]

The chase sealing doesn't need special fireproof caulk assuming it is all wood construction. A good acrylic latex caulk will suffice. The only caulk touching the chimney pipe should be on top, at the storm collar. A good, non-acidic, sililcone adhesive caulk is used there.

Moving to the PE forum. Keep us posted and take pictures and ask questions once the issues are visible.