I’m installing a 316 steel flex liner in my basement fireplace chimney, which is more or less directly below the upstairs chimney. Because of this, there is rather severe turn in the existing terracotta liner. I have the liner to this point and can’t seem to make the turn to continue. Seems like a common enough problem, but I haven’t figured out the common solution. I’m using a pull con from the bottom with a rope and pulling the liner through the chimney.
liner installation help
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That's the method. It helps to have someone on top that can lift the liner and help you work it through there. Also if you can get an old piece of liner or slit your liner to form a cone on the end. That tends to make things a little easier as the edge of the liner doesn't get caught as easily.
I hadn't really considered it before I started, but it appears that I can use a utility knife to cut this stuff. Is that the preferred method or should I use a tin snips?
What size liner are you putting in and what is the inner diameter size of the flue?
When I installed a 5.5 liner in a 8x8 (inner diameter 7x7) square tile chimney with two 45 deg turns it was so close that it almost did not make it.
One thing that might help is to pull the liner out and roll a bat or something along the distance of where the liner makes the turns so it will fit better on the turns. I pushed my liner down while another person pulled it. I was able to get past the first 45 turn on my own and on the second turn I was able to put two vise grips on the liner and pull it that way as I was on top pushing it down a person was tuggin on the vise grips.
I do not believe I could have used a 6" unless it was perfectly squared to fit through the bottom turns.
When I installed a 5.5 liner in a 8x8 (inner diameter 7x7) square tile chimney with two 45 deg turns it was so close that it almost did not make it.
One thing that might help is to pull the liner out and roll a bat or something along the distance of where the liner makes the turns so it will fit better on the turns. I pushed my liner down while another person pulled it. I was able to get past the first 45 turn on my own and on the second turn I was able to put two vise grips on the liner and pull it that way as I was on top pushing it down a person was tuggin on the vise grips.
I do not believe I could have used a 6" unless it was perfectly squared to fit through the bottom turns.
I put a 6" liner in flue with inside dimensions of 11 1/8 by 6 5/8. I used a come along this evening and pulled it all the to what's left of the damper. What I can see of the liner is pretty beat up. I'm hoping that it didn't where through the metal anywhere. It is a little "D" shaped by the pull cone on the 8" or so that I can see.
Gosh you pulled it with a mechanical device? I would be concerned if it took much effort to wrench it through. My liner is a forever flex and it formed itself square pulling/pushing it through but did not need assitance beyond two human arms to pull and one shoulder to push from the top.
I guess it is too late now but on an install of what you are describing I woul dthink ovalizing the liner first would have helped greatly.
I hope it was not damaged. Others might know better of how much abuse on an install the liner will take.
I guess it is too late now but on an install of what you are describing I woul dthink ovalizing the liner first would have helped greatly.
I hope it was not damaged. Others might know better of how much abuse on an install the liner will take.
When GVA, Turner and I did the liner. I cut slits about a foot up, colapsed it in to a cone type setup, and Duct taped the crap out of the new formed cone
We anso uses large washers could be 2.5 Lb weights and placed on in front of the cone anonin the interior of the cone so that a rope action could be push pull.
also if it should get stuck we could pull it out. We had a severe 45 degree ofset to deal with beu made it threw thee after a few pushes ans pulls
we made up a stock the width ot the liner and attached it to an e teloscoping pole to test clearance even before starting the liner Mush of this is video and recorded here back a few months
We anso uses large washers could be 2.5 Lb weights and placed on in front of the cone anonin the interior of the cone so that a rope action could be push pull.
also if it should get stuck we could pull it out. We had a severe 45 degree ofset to deal with beu made it threw thee after a few pushes ans pulls
we made up a stock the width ot the liner and attached it to an e teloscoping pole to test clearance even before starting the liner Mush of this is video and recorded here back a few months
Ripping the liner through with the comealong definately beat up the liner. I got to the damper and the pull cone tore right off. There's a good 6 feet sticking out of the top of the chimney, so it's possible that I can save it. I did a quick inspection with a flashlight and no light shows through the liner, but I'm not sure how heat worthy it is. I'm also not sure why I'm having so much difficulty with this when it sounds like others have had more success. Perhaps the terracotta and the top of the 45 protruded significantly. Regardless, the job is not finished and there are pieces of terracotta that came through with the liner, so I'm hoping that I can pull it the rest of the way tomorrow if it's not too cold.
The other option I've been entertaining is coupling to the liner where it is.
The other option I've been entertaining is coupling to the liner where it is.
No expert here. But if either of the liners I pulled through my flues had required a come-along and pieces of terra cotta came with it I wouldn't burn a fire in it for all of the wood stoves in Bethel, Vermont.
That sucker has to be torn somewhere in there.
That sucker has to be torn somewhere in there.
ok, fair enough. I would guess that about 4 feet went through the 45, maybe less. Any suggestions on getting the thing out of there? I think that if it tore, it would have ripped right off, but I'm no expert either...obviously :down:
Sorry about your troubles. I know this doesn't help now, but I think the 6" liner is too big to fit down that size flue. You said it was only 6 5/8" wide. Im no expert either, but I think that is too tight a fit. With the 45, flue tiles that could be offset/not lined up perfectly and the biggest thing I would think, is the mortar used between the flues usually globs out and makes the diameter even smaller. Not sure if its legal or not, but maybe if only the bottom of the liner is damaged, you could stick a piece of 5.5" in the area of the 45. I don't the draft would be affected by a short piece 5.5". Not sure how you would couple them and if the coupler would make a clearance problem. Also cleaning might be an issue in the area of the differnt pipe dia. Again, it wont help you now, but maybe an important lesson for anyone who in the future may be taking on this project is to take a piece of liner or even a short piece of black stove pipe several inches in length, and do a dry run down before attempting with the real thing. I hope it works out for you. Keep us posted.
yes, in retrospect, I think you are correct, 6" was too big. I bought the liner from a local retailer who also installs them. I told them the size and they thought the 6 would work. I should have done more homework before hand.
Yep. That is a definate application for a 5.5 liner. I had to do that in one of my flues. Drafts like crazy. Todd has one too and it works great with his stove. Now try to find a brush for it...
A six inch brush works fine.
A six inch brush works fine.
diyguy said:
Well that might be OK but remember that if you use a blockoff plate (and Elk will insist that you should) remember that the coupling must be below the blockoff....
I would try to get it back out and solve the problem properly rather than try to improvise something. Hopefully you can just pull from above while pushing from below, as it sounds like the problem area is right near the end.
Gooserider
it is definately at and below the 45. It took me 20 minutes to get to the 45 (about 18 feet) and another 2 days to go 3 more feet. Is there a thread on installing start to finish that has already been written in an archive somewhere?
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