Expert: James Ball - 8/30/2010

Question
James,
Thank you for volunteering to answer my question.  I have a fireplace with an insert in my basement.  The chimney is lined with a clay liner but there is no direct connect to the insert. Although the chimney is useable, the chimney sweep suggested I have a direct connect installed and, due to the age of my chimney (about 60 yrs old), I have the chimney relined.  I looked it up online and the liner installation appears fairly straightforward.  I am thinking about buying a flex-king flexible liner and I plan to insulate it.  The insert burns between 3-4 cords a winter so it’s going all the time.  Do you have any suggestions about the type of liner (rigid vs flexible) or name brand that is dependable?  Also, how difficult is it to install.  I am handy but I have never attempted anything like this.  Thanks for your time.
Chris  

Answer
Hello Chris, a re lining can be very easy or very hard.
1st you should remove the insert and clean the flue (we Ro Clean it with a chain on a rod that connect end to end top to bottom that spins from a drill) then remove all the old creosote. what size collar do you have on the insert (lets say a 6") after wrapping insulation around the liner it is about 7" diameter hard to get that down any thing but an 11 x 11 flue and solid fuel should get 1" of insulation.
I use Ventinox chimney liners the only liner with a welded seam.
if you have an 11 x 11 flue and if it is straight and if you can get it clean enough, then go for it other wise use a Certified Chimney Sweep (CSIA.org) if the liner is done wrong it can be a real fire hazard.
James