History: I have a 6" Simpson Dura-Plus Triple-Wall chimney that I installed myself in 1988 along with my CDW 246CCL. I'm about to replace the CDW, leaning strongly toward a Progress Hybrid.
The Dura-Plus chimney has three layers, with ceramic insulation between the two inner layers to keep the inner flue warm, and an air space for cooling between the middle and outer layer in the event of a chimney fire. It is all installed in a protected space within the house except for the top two feet that extends above the roof line. The inner flue is stainless and the two outer layers aluminized and galvanized steel respectively, except for the top exposed section, which is stainless on the outside.
The tirple-wall design is supposed to prevent damage to the inner flue in the event of a chimney fire, which I believe happened only once not long after I originally installed the stove. Each year I sweep the chimney from above with a steel brush, and then look down with a flashlight. So far it has always looked good, with no warpage or splitting evident. (The chimney is straight all the way down to the stove connector, so pretty easy to inspect.) The Dura-Plus has a 25 year warranty, which just expired last year.
So my question is - can I get more good years out of this chimney, or should I consider replacing it when I install the new stove? I'm not excited about the added cost, but I don't want to burn the house down, either. What do y'all think. Is there any reason the current chimney can't last for a number of additional years, assuming I don't destroy it in a chimney fire?
The Dura-Plus chimney has three layers, with ceramic insulation between the two inner layers to keep the inner flue warm, and an air space for cooling between the middle and outer layer in the event of a chimney fire. It is all installed in a protected space within the house except for the top two feet that extends above the roof line. The inner flue is stainless and the two outer layers aluminized and galvanized steel respectively, except for the top exposed section, which is stainless on the outside.
The tirple-wall design is supposed to prevent damage to the inner flue in the event of a chimney fire, which I believe happened only once not long after I originally installed the stove. Each year I sweep the chimney from above with a steel brush, and then look down with a flashlight. So far it has always looked good, with no warpage or splitting evident. (The chimney is straight all the way down to the stove connector, so pretty easy to inspect.) The Dura-Plus has a 25 year warranty, which just expired last year.
So my question is - can I get more good years out of this chimney, or should I consider replacing it when I install the new stove? I'm not excited about the added cost, but I don't want to burn the house down, either. What do y'all think. Is there any reason the current chimney can't last for a number of additional years, assuming I don't destroy it in a chimney fire?