Flexible stainless liner installation

[gandalf]

I tried installing a 6", ~30' flexible stainless liner in my existing clay liner (inside 11.625" x 7.0625"). With the internal dimensions of the clay liner (as measured at top), the install has been surprisingly difficult. By rotating the liner some, I've been able to get it down about 12-15' or so, but then get stuck. I backed it out twice and tried again, but no luck. The flue appears to be a very straight run. Breaking out the clay liner would give me plenty of clearance for the stainless liner, but I don't want to do that except as a last resort.
Any ideas for getting past the stuck area?
Anyone from the Lancaster PA area with experience at this kind of thing?

Thank you!

 

[armanidog]

I'm assuming you are getting halfway down the chimney since you have 30' of liner. It could be some mortar protruding from a joint. Or it could be bricks protruding on which the clay liner rests. Something like a sash weight on a rope might be used to break the mortar/brick off.
If you get near the damper will you have enough clearance? Usually there is a smoke shelf just above the damper. and then you go through the damper at an angle.

 

[bholler]

It probably wont fit. You are probably going to need to remove the clay or ovalize the luner to make it fit. Have you checked to see if you have the rewuired clearance to combustible materials from the outside of the masonry structure?

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Are you pulling as well as pushing it? When I installed mine I had a guy on top and bottom.

With a lot of effort we got a 5.5" insulated liner down the flue.

 

[Supersurvey]

Are you pulling as well as pushing it? When I installed mine I had a guy on top and bottom.

With a lot of effort we got a 5.5" insulated liner down the flue.

What size was your clay liner?

 

[ddddddden]

The liner comes in a roll and wants to curl up. I put a pre-insulated liner ~ 7.5" diameter down a 12 x 12" chimney, and this curling made the leading edge want to stick on every joint between flue tiles that are misaligned or has mortar poking out. I solved the problem with a long piece of 1 x 2" trim that I wedged between the liner and chimney wall and then rotated to pop the liner loose and get it past the mortar spot. My liner is 25', and I think my last sticking point was ~ 15' down. Either it gets easier after the liner is past the halfway point, or I got lucky the rest of the way. . .

A "nose cone" probably would help.

http://chimneylinerdepot.com/shop/flex-liner-components/pulling-nose-cones/economy-pull-cone/

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Nose-Cones-18901000

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/lessons-learned-from-chimney-liner-install.78151/

Have you addressed the fireplace damper frame?
Many of us had to cut part of that out and maybe remove some bricks too.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

What size way your clay liner?

Standard 12x8. Same size as op.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

The liner comes in a roll and wants to curl up. I put a pre-insulated liner ~ 7.5" diameter down a 12 x 12" chimney, and this curling made the leading edge want to stick on every joint between flue tiles that are misaligned or has mortar poking out. I solved the problem with a long piece of 1 x 2" trim that I wedged between the liner and chimney wall and then rotated to pop the liner loose and get it past the mortar spot. My liner is 25', and I think my last sticking point was ~ 15' down. Either it gets easier after the liner is past the halfway point, or I got lucky the rest of the way. . .

A "nose cone" probably would help.

http://chimneylinerdepot.com/shop/flex-liner-components/pulling-nose-cones/economy-pull-cone/

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Nose-Cones-18901000

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/lessons-learned-from-chimney-liner-install.78151/

Have you addressed the fireplace damper frame?
Many of us had to cut part of that out and maybe remove some bricks too.

Intended a lift as soon as I figured out how bulky that liner was. Mine was about 25 feet. Twisting, pulling, and bouncing got it down. I just duct taped the liner to a rope.

 

[EG GREV NED MIN ELD]

+1 on a nose cone, I used an old funnel duct tape to the liner.
When I installed my parents insulated liner, i attached a pry/spud bar to a rope and chipped away some of the oozed mortar joints to help get it in.

Don't give up!