Fireplace damper removal

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Ctwoodtick

Minister of Fire
Jun 5, 2015
2,229
Southeast CT
Can a masonry fireplace damper be cut out after insert and liner is installed? Just trying to avoid removing insert if possible.
 
Sounds like some sort of torture. I would say 95% no and 5% maybe. The odds of damaging the liner being high, nevermind your back.
 
Sounds like some sort of torture. I would say 95% no and 5% maybe. The odds of damaging the liner being high, nevermind your back.
Thanks, sounds like not worth it.
 
It's bad enough crunching yourself in the hearth with goggles, respirator or mask and a headlight on your saw, than squeezing in around an Insert and liner. Removing Insert and letting liner hang is the easy part. Alone, I use pipe rollers under it with a few 2x6's and roll them forward. The more room the better, you end up laying down with hot metal, soot, dust and dirt falling on you.
 
Why are you going to cut it out after the liner is installed?
 
yes, why?