Ok. So I was all set to have a Napoleon 1402 Wood Insert installed by a local chimney sweep and then this. A friend of mine is a mason and I talked to him about my decision and he said he knew the chimney sweep from having to go and fix many a crown issues they created from shotty installs. So now I'm leary of having them do the install. Right now I have an unlined 9 x 16 brick chimney, just brick shell, that had an older wood insert in it I had been burning for several years. I had been getting chimney cleaned by a sweep who said it wasn't a problem that I had no liner whatsoever. But he wasn't a certified sweep, so that's why I got a second opinion from this certified sweep and he said that while there wasn't much creosote build up I should get a reline. Said he would reline with ss homesaver ultral pro and help me put stove in for $1995. But my local hardware store has a Copperfield catalog (has stove and liner supplies) and says I could order a homesaver liner and the Napoleon 1402 through him at his cost. Money is tight for me right now and I could save about $1000 by going this route and having my friend help me install the liner since he has the scafolding to get at my 30 ft. chimney. My question is how hard is it really to put a ss liner in? We are both pretty skilled DIY'ers but have never put a liner in. I feel more confident having him do my crown work, being a mason and all, and I have done my homework about liners and would wrap 1/2" insulation around it as the chimney is on the exterior of my house. I broke off part of my damper frame and have about 7" through it and he has the tools to help me open it a little more if need be. Is it neccesary to run the insulation the whole way through the damper frame to the insert or could I stop it just above the frame if need be? One last question, since neither of us have any experience with liners would it be wise to consider a homesaver pro liner instead of ultra pro since it sounds like they are a little more heavy duty and could withstand any possible snags we might encounter better? I hope some of you can help me with my dilema.
Thanks, Tim
Thanks, Tim