Chimney & Fireplaces/removal of clay liner

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Expert: - 9/21/2006


Question
I have a brick chimney with 3 clay-lined flues, 2 of which are for wood burning fireplaces which are no longer used.  Our house is heated with hot-water and the 3rd flue is for the oil burner.

The clay liner is rotting and I hired a company to install a stainless steel liner.  The clay liner is 6" and the stainless liner is 5".  When they came to install the liner it would not go down the chimney....it seems that the clay tile was not put in completely straight and there are offsets which result in only 4" in places.

The solution proposed is to remove the clay tiles.  I am waiting for a quote on this.  I thought later about questions I should have asked.  One concern I have is if there is potential to damage the brick as the clay liner is being removed.  If the clay liner is in such bad shape perhaps the gases have already started to deteriorate the brick. My question is, how is this liner removed and is there potential that the brick chimney could be damaged in the process?  I live in Canada and the cold season will soon be upon us here...I need to have a working chimney.  If there is potential for the brick to be damaged as the clay liner is removed I am wondering if I would be smart to wait until spring to have this work done.  

Answer
Hi Hal,

There are special tools available that are designed to remove clay flue tiles.

There is a slight possibility that the exterior bricks could be damaged with this or any other repair process.

We run into offset flue tiles all the time - they have to be removed to line the chimney.

Make sure you are using a WETT Certified Technician to do your work.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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