Chimney Liner Installation

If you are a home owner with an older chimney that has a worn out liner, you may find it necessary to take on the challenge of a chimney liner installation. The alternative to replacing a worn out chimney liner may be to risk the intrusion of carbon monoxide into your home when you burn wood in your fireplace or wood burning stove. You could, if you chose, rebuild your chimney, but the cost of rebuilding a chimney is considerably greater than installing a new chimney liner. Here are 5 steps you can take to install a liner, if that is the choice you wish to make.

Step 1 – Prepare for Installing your Chimney Liner

Collect all supplies, tools, equipment and your chimney liner before beginning your project. You'll need an extension ladder long enough for you to safely climb onto and off your roof. Choose and purchase the chimney liner you plan to install in your chimney.

Step 2 – Select the Right Chimney Liner

In purchasing your replacement chimney liner, choose one that is large enough to allow smoke to rise up through your chimney without restriction. It will help you make the right selection if you take your chimney measurements with you when you purchase the liner.

Step 3 - Identify and Remove Obstructions from Inside the Chimney

From the top opening of the chimney, lower a probe to spot possible obstructions in your chimney. The probe will also help you determine the interior measurements of the chimney. If you see obstructions that will need to be removed, contact a professional to remove them.

Step 4 – Clean your Chimney

Hire a professional to clean your chimney or clean it yourself by using a chimney brush. To do this, connect the chimney brush to a lightweight chain and lower the brush into you chimney. Typically, you can purchase both a chain and a chimney brush at a local hardware store or at a building supply outlet.

Step 5  - Make Preparations to Pull your Chimney Line Up

At the top of your chimney, install a winch that will allow you to safely and slowly pull your liner up through the chimney. At the winch, attach a rope, a strong cord, or a small chain. Now, lower this line down through the chimney. Attach the line to the liner and use the winch to pull the liner into place in the chimney.

Step 6 – Secure the Liner

Locate screws on the chimney liner plates. Tightening these screws will hold the liner securely in place and keep the smoke from your stove or fireplace from entering your house from the chimney's smoke chamber.

Step 7 – Insulate your Chimney

There will be spaces between your new chimney liner and your chimney walls through which heat can escape. To make your stove or fireplace more heat efficient, make a mixture of wet concrete and vermiculite and use this mixture to fill up these spaces.