Installation

• Leaks from the stovepipe can be prevented during the installation process by ensuring the metal pipe is properly installed. Failure to install pipe correctly or seal lengths of pipe with furnace cement can lead to leaks.
  
  

Underfiring

• The size of a stove installed in a room can be the cause of leaks from a stovepipe with a stove too large for a room, leading to creosote build-up within the stovepipe. When a stove is underfired below its optimum temperature, creosote forms and corrodes the pipe, leading to leaks of fumes and smoke.
  
  

Maintenance

• The condition of a stovepipe should be monitored throughout its existence to ensure the quality and integrity of the pipe. If the stovepipe can be crushed by hand, it has begun to corrode and poses a risk to health and safety.