Is SS Flex 'flexible' enough to deal with the arch over my chimney?

[gort]

Howdy all.

With the help of what I have learned here I’m planning to install a wood stove using my existing fireplace chimney. Best I can tell there is no liner at all so I plan to line it with 6” SS flex.

My question is – Is flex pipe flexible enough to work around the brick arch at the top of my chimney to install from the top?

Considering it seems to come coiled I would think so but I just wanted to get the thoughts of those with experience in using it.

Thanks for any insight!

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[pulldownclaw]

I should think so, but I remember thinking when I installed mine "man, this stuff is not as flexible as I thought it would be". Just getting it unrolled and fairly straight from the shipping box was a chore. But, it looks like from your picture that you'll have enough space to put it in on an angle. Are you going to put any kind of a cap on it?

 

[BrotherBart]

The arch is high enough that it looks like it probably can be done. Much simpler with that chimney to pull/push it up from the bottom though.

 

[gpcollen1]

It looks high enough to do it as BB said - but you will have a harder time doing it then running it up from the bottom - I think. Regardless, I do not think this will be a 1 man operation as mine was.

 

[gort]

Thanks for the responses!

I was thinking of dropping a line from the top and pulling/pushing the liner up but I'm trying VERY hard to avoid cutting or removing the damper. The fireplace is far older than this iteration of the house, its a grand thing, 60" x 39" and still has an old swinging kettle. The damper is over 50" but only opens to about 4.5 inches.

So considering I want to retain the fireplace as is, which seems to make the most sense?

- 6" round from the top and ovalize the last few feet and hope I can deal with the arch

- just get ovalized flex and push/pull it from the bottom

- something else I am missing

pulldownclaw: Not quite sure what to do about the cap yet. There is a screen over the top of the flue and of course the arch. I was wondering if I could just seal around the liner, put the screen back and not need a cap. This may be a really dumb idea, I just don't know it yet

 

[bfunk13]

It looks like it would go. I found this weekend that the flex isn't so flexible though.
Make sure to make one of these. 3 pieces of wire with a rope, makes pulling through damper way easier.
I also found another helpful tip, the small ridges of the liner were getting cought up on the damper area i cut out.
I slid a piece of cardboard between the cut metal and the liner, slid right through no problem. Obviously make sure you remove
the cardboard when you are done.

Brad