How to Install a Chimney Liner
Over time, your chimney can become worn out, and instead of getting air out, it can cause smoke and carbon monoxide to enter your home. To prevent this from happening, you can either get a new chimney, which would cost you a lot of money, or just install a chimney liner. If you prefer the second option, here’s what to do.
What You’ll Need:
Probe
Chimney brush
Measuring tape
Winch
Cement and vermiculite mixture
Procedure:
Check and make sure that there are no obstructions in your chimney before you begin installing the liner. You can use a probe to see if there are obstructions. You can also use this to measure the interior of the chimney, which will be very important when you get the liner.
chimney liner
Measure the chimney using your measuring tape. Start from the bottom, then move up to the top of the chimney crown. Add an extra foot to your measurement.
Buy a chimney liner. These are cylindrical and made from steel. Make sure you buy one with the widest possible liner that fits your chimney well. This will give you maximum air flow. You can also choose either a flexible or a rigid type of chimney liner.
Clean the chimney. You can either do this yourself or you can ask a chimney sweep to do it for you. If you want to do this by yourself, climb the roof with a cleaning brush. Lower it down with a chain, then draw it back up. You can buy a chimney brush at any hardware store. (Tips on how to clean a chimney)
Remove the chimney cap. You’ll have to pull your chimney liner up from the fireplace.
Set a winch at the chimney’s top, then lower a line down to attach to the liner. You can ask another person to do this for you. When it’s properly attached, draw the liner in place by engaging your winch. This pulls it in place. Draw the liner carefully, so it won’t be damaged.
Hold the liner in place by screwing plates at the bottom. The plates usually come with the liner. These also prevent the smoke from getting out of the smoke chamber and into the house.
If there’s any excess liner, cut it. Afterwards, anchor the top of the chimney liner, using silicone caulk. Attach the top plate, then press it on the caulking. Secure the clamp around your liner, securing it. (Learn how to use silicone caulk)
Get a mixture of cement and vermiculite and pour it down the chimney, just below the chimney liner and the chimney brick or stone. This gives better insulation, letting the chimney and your stove to heat faster.
Make the most out of your chimney by installing a new and more efficient chimney liner. As long as you have this, you’ll never have to worry about cold drafts and chimney smoke polluting your interior.