Chimney woes… at the wrong time of year

Today was chimney cleaning day. Didn’t know it would be such an awful day. With my trusty brush and fiberglass rod I got about 8’ down in and she just wouldn’t go. I pushed and pulled with all my might was able to get about another foot. I knew the flue was gettin kinda iffy in spots. So I threw the rod and the brush off the roof and looked down in and I saw a large gaping crack about 2’ down. Went in the house and took a video of the inside and sure enough the terra cotta has really shifted around. Looking for repair Or replacement options. I was hoping to roast the wife out of her sweater today but alas ‘‘twas not the case

 

Sounds like time to do an insulated SS liner... what's the ID of the flue?

 

8” square

 

I’m thinking of starting over with triple wall stainless

 

I would run a flex liner.


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Air cooled pipe is not ideal for a number of reasons. Insulated SS liner is the ideal option.

Edit: If brenndatomu suggests something, you can usually take it to the bank. He has been invaluable to me with his excellent advice.

 

Sounds like a SS liner is in order. Not sure if insulated is required or not. Did the chimney have a cap on it?

 

Another vote for a flex liner. Might I suggest Rockford Chimney Supply. Google it. Top notch service.

 

Yes, believe it or not, doublewall insulated class A pipe is better for wood burners than triplewall, even though the triple is approved for it.

You can get a 6" insulated liner in a 8" flue but it will be snug...and the fact you already have things shifted around means its not likely to fit without breaking the tiles the rest of the way out...which isn't as big of a deal as it sounds.

 

No

 

If it is a single flue chimney tear it down and put a manufactured in its place. It'll work better.

 

So another question I have does the double wall chimney pipe work ok with an old smoke dragon? I don’t me to sound naive but I’ve only really been around masonry chimneys and old style wood stoves

 

It works fine with old school burners...but works better than masonry with newer EPA fireboxes due to the insulation helping keep the flue gasses warm clear to the top.

 

And round flues draft better then square...easier to clean too

 

Yes, he is a trusted knowledge base for sure.

 

How tall is the chimney and is it on an exterior wall or is it interior?

I've installed SS flex liners twice.

I went with the 6" insulated liner for the set up that had the exterior wall chimney (IIRC it was like 22'). Direct connect to an insert.

For my current home I went w an uninsulated 6" flex liner that's an interior chimney (garage is on the other side of it) and stuffed rock wool at the top and bottom of the liner. that creates an air gap that warms up. My current chimney is 16' (I think) and I put a 2' rigid pipe extender to meet the min requirement for my stove. This liner was a lot easier to instal than the wrapped insulated liner. I also have a T at the bottom of the liner that connects to the back of my Fireview.

Neither set up had given me any problems and they both burned very clean. Not much creosote buildup at all.

Good luck!

 

Another reason for using insulation on a liner is to meet CTC requirements, which surprisingly few chimneys meet (or it would be exceedingly difficult to actually verify) Really the only reasons to not insulate would be either slightly more expense, or not having the room for it...which as I mentioned earlier, the original tiles can be broken out to accommodate, and at that point insulation is required.

 

I need 12’ of useable chimney that’s near as I can figure counting the block. Exterior wall on the East side of the house. I’m in a village that’s all controlled by the township so no chimney ordinance that I’m aware of.

 

Well the wife wife said fix it right not fix it to just get by.