Pro install screw up or common problem

[robbydanilow]

It was 50 degrees Saturday so I went up on the roof to do my first cleaning. I had been experiencing some draft issues but thought it was the warm weather or maybe a good cleaning was all that was needed…

The liner had slipped out of the collar in the top plate and was resting about 2 inches down in the chimney. It was half blocked by the top plate and the underside of the top plate was covered in shiny black creosote.

I reconnected the liner to the top plate but it was tight. Had to take the T off the stove pull the liner up clamp it with vise grips and re tighten the collar on the top plate. Then the T was an inch too high had to pull it back down to the stove. Worried this guy cut my liner too short. I know you need to pull the liner straight but I am now anxious its too tight. Just went up on the roof to recheck the connection and everything looks good and tight.

Does this happen or is this a NEVER kind of occurrence? I used a pro because my insurance Co mandated it. I feel that this kind of failure should be impossible given the temps that these stoves burn at. I am going to contact the company today but honestly I don’t want them touching my house.

Incidentally the chimney sweep returned about 3 cups of creosote. Started burning mid December kind of expected since this was year one with sub-par wood.

Anybody out there ever experience this? Should I be checking that connection up top tightening as needed?

This was just my singular experience with a particular company. I know there are some great pros out there who are safe and reliable.

 

[Highbeam]

It appears extremely likely that he cut it too short. I do not recall mine shrinking, they are actually fairly rigid. Was or is that top plate sealed to the chimney top?

 

[robbydanilow]

Top plate is not sealed. This summer I will be insulating the top with Roxul and will seal it then.

 

[CenterTree]

It appears extremely likely that he cut it too short. I do not recall mine shrinking, they are actually fairly rigid. Was or is that top plate sealed to the chimney top?

He cut it 3 times and it was STILL too short.

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I would be upset too if I paid a "pro" to do it and found that screw-up.
Good thing the insurance company mandated a "pro install" Huh?

 

[robbydanilow]

Good thing the insurance company mandated a "pro install" Huh?

Exactly. 400$$$ for what? Piece of mind LOL.

Its all about insurance. They want someone to do it who is insured and is thereby paying into the same system that they are a part of thus increasing the pool of insured and increasing profits.

 

[begreen]

Have the "pro" come out and add an extension to correct the error on their nickel.

 

[PoolGuyinCT]

You can always cut more off but not moron.

 

[bmblank]

Don't have the time to do it right, but there's always time to do it over.

 

[bholler]

Yes and it is usually recommended that you back up the top clamp with screws or rivets to keep that from happening. And the top plate should absolutely be sealed to the top of the chimney. I am curious if the installer was certified if he was I would report him to what ever organization certified him. As a reputable certified sweep it really bothers me when I hear stuff like this it gives the rest of us a bad name.

 

[robbydanilow]

Yes and it is usually recommended that you back up the top clamp with screws or rivets to keep that from happening. And the top plate should absolutely be sealed to the top of the chimney.

I will back up the clamp with screws but am still concerned the liner is too tight. I mean it expands when hot so that at least is comforting. How tight do you typically pull a liner?

The company is listed as National Chimney sweep guild certified. I think it was just this installer who was rushed.

 

[begreen]

I would leave it alone and get on the phone. At least give the sweep a chance to make it right in a timely fashion.

 

[bholler]

It shouldn't be all that tight I cant say for sure but it sounds like it is to short. I would call them and have them come out and extend it. And depending on how they respond would determine weather or not you report them.

 

[begreen]

The fact that the top plate is unsealed and the liner is short makes it sound like a space-out. I'm wondering if the sweep could clamp on a 1 or 2' section of rigid liner and replace the top cap with a rigid liner top cap and seal that properly.

 

[bholler]

They can just add a piece of flex on also. That is probably what they will do because I am sure they have allot of flex laying around as well as some couplers. There is nothing wrong with that but they should have done it to start with. Well actually they shouldn't have cut it short to start with.

 

[fire_man]

Doesn't the top clamp grab the liner at a skinny section just before it leaves the clay liner? Mine is rigid and the clamp grabs the pipe just before it widens to the female opening. I can't see how the line could drop unless he never even tightened the clamp.

 

[bholler]

Flex liners have no flare they are the same diameter the whole way.

 

[fire_man]

gotcha that makes sense.

 

[bholler]

It is not that uncommon for the liner to come out of the clamp but it should not happen. And the installer needs to take care of it. Now this one sounds like it is to short which definatley shouldn't happen.

 

[robbydanilow]

I'm glad its not entirely uncommon for the liner to come out. My worst fear was that I'd be out the money for the liner and the install. This time I'll make sure I can get up on the roof with him. Will give the company a chance to make it right especially since they owe me a sweep on the square flue for my oil boiler.

 

[bholler]

I should also ask is the bottom sealed up if not you should demand they do that as well.

 

[robbydanilow]

I should also ask is the bottom sealed up if not you should demand they do that as well.

You do the bottom block off too? None of the installers I talked to wanted to do anything with the bottom except stuff some insulation up there which is how it is right now...

 

[bholler]

Well that is better than Allot of guys do but yeah there should be a block off plate.

 

[dakjd03]

I haven't had the same problem, but did have some, I had mine installed by an installer recommended by the salesman after I wasn't able to get the liner down. Well they had a hard time to. In the end they wound up squishing the liner to an oval sort of shape. I was told that wouldn't hurt anything. Now this weekend I went to clean it for the first time and found I couldn't get my brush up the liner, I had to trim the bristles and then was able to get it ok, but not great. I also found that when they screwed the liner to the collar there was one that didn't go through the liner but instead bent the liner, leaving a gap of about 3/4 of an inch where smoke could come out and into the the house. Makes me wish I had done some shopping around for an installer, rather than taking the salesmans suggested guy.

 

[chimneylinerjames]

I bet what happened was that the installer pulled up on the liner after installing the tee. He pulled up very tight to make the liner nice and straight inside the chimney, stretching the liner some. This is a good thing. But he may have done it so tight that after time the clamp on the top gave way some how. No, it shouldn't happen. But I do not think at all the sweep did a bad job or cut the liner too short and tried to get away with it. I would though call him and he can easily fix it, adding a piece of rigid to the top of the liner. Seems like an honest accident with really no one at fault. An accident.

 

[robbydanilow]

Well the company is sending someone out next week. They offered this Thursday but I wont be around. So it should be a simple fix for them.

I also found that when they screwed the liner to the collar there was one that didn't go through the liner but instead bent the liner, leaving a gap of about 3/4 of an inch where smoke could come out and into the the house.

Should be a quick fix with a new screw and this time predrilling a small pilot hole. Might improve the draft too. I know that mine is drafting a little better with the liner not blocked up top but not as much difference as you'd think.