Pull insulate and reinstall liner??

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canoeman

New Member
Oct 23, 2009
5
SE PA
I've got an isert in a prefab fireplace (a42r) -- dealer did not insulate my liner or install block-off - just used insulation at the top and bottom. They did not block off the air cooling of the original chimney at least. How bad is this -- it's not quite a slammer but If I had known I would have pushed for an insulated liner. Insulate now or do it after the season is over?
 
Well, seeing as an uninsulated liner in a 1700 degree rated flue is not code, &
you are putting yourself & family at risk of death, I'd pull the liner & wrap it
with approved insulation, NOW.
Weather today & tomorrow looks to be in your favor...
Just do it!
 
Daksy,

This kind of install sends me into fits! :sick: How in the world can 'reputable installers' get away with stuff like this and not get their you know what sued from you know where and back again??? Aren't installers regulated at all? Yeah, I know, more regulation just drives up the price but dang it all, people are putting their lives and their family's lives at stake by 'trusting' any local nimby who calls themselves a 'pro' - and then you hear of this OP's kind of install. :sick: :sick: :sick:

Shari
 
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What do you think about Thermix? I have a Homesaver liner and talked to a chimney sweep today. He is suggesting Thermix.
Thanks
 
This is a timely post for me. I had a Napoleon 1402 wood burning insert installed last fall and the installer put in a 6" Homesaver Ultrapro stainless flexible sleeve. However, the installer did not put in a block-off plate or insulation around the stainless relining pipe. He told me they "weren't necessary". Well, page 6 of my Homesaver install guide states "3. Insulating the Liner. Insulation is required when venting solid fuel appliances but is optional for wood pellet appliances, oil appliances, and Category 1 LP or natural gas-burning appliances". In other words, the installer should have insulated my liner and he didn't.

I have purchased an insulation kit and I had a local sheet metal place fabricate a blockoff plate. I plan on pulling my liner and installing the insulation and blockoff plate this coming weekend.

Any pointers from anyone out there that has done this before? Is it a good idea to leave 2-3 feet of the liner uninsulated at the bottom of the liner where it enters the fireplace (to facilitate getting through the bend in the old damper and getting through the blockoff plate)??

Thanks
Brian
 
Timely post for me as well. I had a Jotul Rockland 550 installed last year. They did not put in a block-off plate and I was getting ready to pull the unit to install one. Well, I looked up the chimney (masonary) and saw that the liner was not insulated.

I'm upset because I know that I discussed using an insulated liner early on with the guy (or, at tleast, people in the store), but my receipt does not indicate an insulated liner. I don't think I have any code issues, but I want to do this to make things as safe as possible (good draft, less creosote). Also, there was a build up of creosote in the chimney that our chimneysweep could never fully remove. We used Cre-away for a number of months to "coat" the creosote.

So, I'd like to insulate between the liner and chimney. Again, it might be overkill, but I've also got 5 kids who I want to protect. It looks like Thermix and losses vermiculite as my choices. Loose vermiculite seems like it would be easier to put in (I have easy access to the top of the chimney) and eventually remove, if needed. But Thermix seems like it would offer better protection. Any thoughts?
 
First off, disclaimer here: I do not have my stove installed yet. ($$ is the problem around here! :) ) I have about 4 cords of wood seasoning though so whenever we get the stove installed we should be good to go. I've been hanging around here learning all the time...

Background: Real Estate sales 30+ yrs.

Topic: Thermix or vermiculite or wrapped insulation

In my work I've seen a LOT of older homes with 'slammer' installs, thermix or vermiculite.

Thermix: In my personal opinion if you use thermix in a fireplace chimney then thermix completely disallows any further use of your chimney as a fireplace chimney. As far as resale of your home (from my real estate experience) not everyone is comfortable with a wood stove yet are comfortable with a fireplace every now and then but using thermix toasts any further use of a fireplace as a fireplace.

Vermiculite: I would only trust this if you can be positive that your liner is centered in your flue. Can you see all of your liner? Can you be sure it is centered before during and after you pour in vermiculite?

Insulated liner: My choice will be an insulated liner.

Personally: I have to get back outside to my woodpile and get it tarped for the winter & quit hanging 'round the forum! :)

Shari
 
Thanks Shari for that great explanation. Would the choice be an insualted lined if the liner needs to be removed to be insulated?

Shari said:
Thermix: In my personal opinion if you use thermix in a fireplace chimney then thermix completely disallows any further use of your chimney as a fireplace chimney. As far as resale of your home (from my real estate experience) not everyone is comfortable with a wood stove yet are comfortable with a fireplace every now and then but using thermix toasts any further use of a fireplace as a fireplace.

Vermiculite: I would only trust this if you can be positive that your liner is centered in your flue. Can you see all of your liner? Can you be sure it is centered before during and after you pour in vermiculite?

Insulated liner: My choice will be an insulated liner.

Personally: I have to get back outside to my woodpile and get it tarped for the winter & quit hanging 'round the forum! :)

Shari
 
JJ,

Let one of the more learned persons answer that question because I don't know if adding an insulation wrap changes anything relating to the length of liner you already have. Won't think it would be affected but let someone else chime in here.

(Rough day - had to take hubby to the hospital (again!) so my reply is late.)

Shari
 
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