Hi all,
New guy here.... I bought a new (to me) house last summer, after this winter's heating bills, I'm looking to get some more use out of my fireplace. I've always liked woodfires, and I'm not afraid of hard work. Already have a pickup and a big chainsaw, so I've done some research (this site is awesome!) and decided on a Hearthstone Clydesdale insert. I put down a deposit on one, and now I'm trying to get myself ready to install it.
The particulars:
Basic 40 year old wood framed multilevel home. The fireplace is in the living room on the center level with the chimney on an exterior wall (South). This level is sort of an open format with the kitchen and dining room attached, and an open stairway leading a half floor up, to two bedrooms and a bath. The stairway wraps back toward the main level and continues up to the master bedroom directly above the center level. Below the fireplace, the chimney continues down into the basement where there is a cleanout, and the heating system ducts enter the second flue.
The questions:
Starting from the top... 1) I already have a chimney cap that covers both flues. The liner kit comes with a cap for one flue... Can I reuse my current cap, or do I need to use the full kit, and get a second individual cap?
2) How long of a liner do I need? I measured from the top of the chimney to a window sill that is approximately level with the damper plate to be 18'. Would a 20' liner give me enough extra, or should I go with the 25 footer and trim the excess?
3) liner installation - do you just run these things down the existing flue (chimney is in excellent condition) or do they need to be wrapped in that insulation first? I seem to be getting mixed messages on this.
4) Is is okay to crush down the liner a bit to get through the damper opening? It seems like the damper closes against an angle iron frame and is surrounded by masonry. I'd prefer not to cut away at the structure of the chimney!
5) Is there a recommended way to block off the rest of the chimney once the damper is removed? I'd like to insulate the gap as well. Where do you get insulation that can take chimney temperatures. Can that just be stuffed into the opening, or is sheetmetal or cementboard required?
6) Anyone have any tips on getting the heavy insert in place without damaging anything and getting the liner attached?
Anything I forgot to ask?
Adding some pictures
New guy here.... I bought a new (to me) house last summer, after this winter's heating bills, I'm looking to get some more use out of my fireplace. I've always liked woodfires, and I'm not afraid of hard work. Already have a pickup and a big chainsaw, so I've done some research (this site is awesome!) and decided on a Hearthstone Clydesdale insert. I put down a deposit on one, and now I'm trying to get myself ready to install it.
The particulars:
Basic 40 year old wood framed multilevel home. The fireplace is in the living room on the center level with the chimney on an exterior wall (South). This level is sort of an open format with the kitchen and dining room attached, and an open stairway leading a half floor up, to two bedrooms and a bath. The stairway wraps back toward the main level and continues up to the master bedroom directly above the center level. Below the fireplace, the chimney continues down into the basement where there is a cleanout, and the heating system ducts enter the second flue.
The questions:
Starting from the top... 1) I already have a chimney cap that covers both flues. The liner kit comes with a cap for one flue... Can I reuse my current cap, or do I need to use the full kit, and get a second individual cap?
2) How long of a liner do I need? I measured from the top of the chimney to a window sill that is approximately level with the damper plate to be 18'. Would a 20' liner give me enough extra, or should I go with the 25 footer and trim the excess?
3) liner installation - do you just run these things down the existing flue (chimney is in excellent condition) or do they need to be wrapped in that insulation first? I seem to be getting mixed messages on this.
4) Is is okay to crush down the liner a bit to get through the damper opening? It seems like the damper closes against an angle iron frame and is surrounded by masonry. I'd prefer not to cut away at the structure of the chimney!
5) Is there a recommended way to block off the rest of the chimney once the damper is removed? I'd like to insulate the gap as well. Where do you get insulation that can take chimney temperatures. Can that just be stuffed into the opening, or is sheetmetal or cementboard required?
6) Anyone have any tips on getting the heavy insert in place without damaging anything and getting the liner attached?
Anything I forgot to ask?
Adding some pictures