Q&A Clay liner removal

Question:

How can the clay liner be removed using homemade tools without having to take down the complete chimney?



Answer:

Depends on how well they were cemented in and the size and height of the chimney. A larger flue will often be easier to remove...also, some tiles are harder than others.

A long steel "johnson bar" or rod can often be used to break them up./..at least as far as you can reach down.

There are tools meant to do this...but you might be able to fashion one. I've seen one shaped like an X vertically that expands outward as you pull upwards. With a good rope you might be able to wiggle the tiles loose and pull them out the top.

In the real world, a combination of methods is often needed to accomplish this task.