All-
I will be undertaking the DIY project this winter of lining my chimney flue. I'd like to post my proposed process on here and a few questions. Please let me know of any advice.
Current Conditions:
I have a 12" ID, round, clay chimney flue. There are some cracks due to some minor differential settlement over the last 70 years (house was built in 1955). I have several fireplaces and the cracks are evident. The basement fills with smoke when I use the upstairs fireplace. This occurs even when the basement chimney is plugged. So there is communication between flues. The firebox was not parged with mortar, but as you can see in the pictures, was built in a way (not sure what the terminology is for this) that shouldn't require it.
Pictures:
<a href=""><img src="https://i.imgur.com/4hqHCBI.png" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href=""><img src="https://i.imgur.com/vtjA7kT.png" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
My Plan:
- Reline chimney with 11" diameter 316 SS flex liner. I would use 1/4" insulation wrap on it so hopefully I have a tiny amount of wiggle room. I'm paranoid about using the 1/2" stuff.
- The fireplace opening is already too big, and I will be adding a fireplace surround (similar to a mantle) to reduce the opening as I'm reducing from 12" to 11" flue.
Step 1 - Cut steel so I can remove 3 firebox bricks. (see pic)
Step 2 - Remove 3 firebox bricks. (see pic) I would leave these but I can't fit my body up into the smoke chamber unless I do. This portion of steel and 3 bricks do not appear structural.
Step 3 - Clean smoke chamber? How do I do this? It looks FILTHY and I assume mortar will not adhere to this surface. I do not see how I could get this spotless?
Step 4 - Install liner and mesh bottom plate. I'll use mortar on mesh bottom plate where the clay tile starts.
Step 5 - The smoke chamber will need repairs. Can I just slather a bunch of mortar all over the walls of this thing? I'm thinking a thick skim coat? Or do I have to drill out the old mortar joints and redo them? I would think the chamber volume loss would be negligible since I'm already dropping from 12" to 11" and reducing fireplace opening.
Step 6 - Install damper and top cap.
Step 7 - Install fireplace surround to reduce fireplace opening.
Thoughts? Thanks everyone!
I will be undertaking the DIY project this winter of lining my chimney flue. I'd like to post my proposed process on here and a few questions. Please let me know of any advice.
Current Conditions:
I have a 12" ID, round, clay chimney flue. There are some cracks due to some minor differential settlement over the last 70 years (house was built in 1955). I have several fireplaces and the cracks are evident. The basement fills with smoke when I use the upstairs fireplace. This occurs even when the basement chimney is plugged. So there is communication between flues. The firebox was not parged with mortar, but as you can see in the pictures, was built in a way (not sure what the terminology is for this) that shouldn't require it.
Pictures:
<a href=""><img src="https://i.imgur.com/4hqHCBI.png" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href=""><img src="https://i.imgur.com/vtjA7kT.png" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
My Plan:
- Reline chimney with 11" diameter 316 SS flex liner. I would use 1/4" insulation wrap on it so hopefully I have a tiny amount of wiggle room. I'm paranoid about using the 1/2" stuff.
- The fireplace opening is already too big, and I will be adding a fireplace surround (similar to a mantle) to reduce the opening as I'm reducing from 12" to 11" flue.
Step 1 - Cut steel so I can remove 3 firebox bricks. (see pic)
Step 2 - Remove 3 firebox bricks. (see pic) I would leave these but I can't fit my body up into the smoke chamber unless I do. This portion of steel and 3 bricks do not appear structural.
Step 3 - Clean smoke chamber? How do I do this? It looks FILTHY and I assume mortar will not adhere to this surface. I do not see how I could get this spotless?
Step 4 - Install liner and mesh bottom plate. I'll use mortar on mesh bottom plate where the clay tile starts.
Step 5 - The smoke chamber will need repairs. Can I just slather a bunch of mortar all over the walls of this thing? I'm thinking a thick skim coat? Or do I have to drill out the old mortar joints and redo them? I would think the chamber volume loss would be negligible since I'm already dropping from 12" to 11" and reducing fireplace opening.
Step 6 - Install damper and top cap.
Step 7 - Install fireplace surround to reduce fireplace opening.
Thoughts? Thanks everyone!
