liner install hiccup - chimney flue reduced

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vap0rtranz

Member
Feb 22, 2020
32
Wisconsin
Is it common for a cast in-place flue to have been reduced to smaller terra cotta cap? By "cap", I mean the part of the chimney above the roof line.

I went to install my shiny new liner but the T connector for the snout just won't pass thru the terra cotta up there. 6.5" inside measure for the terra cotta cap; 8" inside measure of the cast in-place flue where the snout fit.

My guess is the original brick chimney cap was "de-decapitated" when the previous homeowner had a new metal roof put on, and the roofers switched the top part of the flue to square terra cotta.

I tried shoving the liner up in reverse from the basement via an extra large clean-out hole in the 8" flue at the base but it's just too tight down there.

Options here? "de-capitate" the new brick chimney again and replace it with a steel 8" chimney?
 
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Is it common for a cast in-place flue to have been reduced to smaller terra cotta cap? By "cap", I mean the part of the chimney above the roof line.

I went to install my shiny new liner but the T connector for the snout just won't pass thru the terra cotta up there. 6.5" inside measure for the terra cotta cap; 8" inside measure of the cast in-place flue where the snout fit.

My guess is the original brick chimney cap was "de-decapitated" when the previous homeowner had a new metal roof put on, and the roofers switched the top part of the flue to square terra cotta.

I tried shoving the liner up in reverse from the basement via an extra large clean-out hole in the 8" flue at the base but it's just too tight down there.

Options here? "de-capitate" the new brick chimney again and replace it with a steel 8" chimney?
Break out the clay or pull the liner up through
 
Break out the clay or pull the liner up through
Does that mean removing the terra cotta liner and just leaving the brick?

I'm probably not using the term "cap" correctly b/c this is 5' of chimney above the roof line, so I don't see how I could remove more than the top 1-2' of terra cotta without also removing the brick.
 
Does that mean removing the terra cotta liner and just leaving the brick?

I'm probably not using the term "cap" correctly b/c this is 5' of chimney above the roof line, so I don't see how I could remove more than the top 1-2' of terra cotta without also removing the brick.
Yes remove the terracotta leaving the brick
 
OK got it.

I'll have to call in the professionals to get that done. Looks like they have a special tool made for my exact problem:


Yes they work well
 
I broke out 38 feet of liner today with one
 
It isn't abnormal here really. Lots of big old places.
Just kidding. My s-i-l's house has a full attic and chimney that tall.