I was searching info about installing a fireplace insert in my fireplace and was reading about the flexible chimney liners. The liner I was looking at reminded me of an oversize dryer vent hose for a clothes dryer. Does any one have experience with these and how do you clean the soot and creosote build up out of the inside of them when needed. It looked like what I need to what I need to do. Just do not want to spend the money if it is more problem than it is worth.
Chimney liners
- Thread starter SAWFORD79
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Wood Scrounge
ArboristSite Guru
I have one on my insert, very easy installation and very easy to clean not much sticks to the SS.
chowdozer
Addicted to ArboristSite
A liner will be worth it for peace of mind and cleaning. Without the liner, you'll remove your insert, brush the chimney, vacuum up the mess and get the creosote dust all over the house, reinstall insert. With the liner, you'll brush the liner and it all falls into the insert where it will burn with the next fire. Big difference in time and you get the added benefit of not worrying (as much) about chimney fires burning your house down.
Zodiac45
Paleostoveologist & Sawwhisperer
Yep that's what they look like (dryer hose) and in fact for a propane stove that's what they are. But the flex stainless for wood are quite a bit more. I'm going to install one for a second stove on the same flue with the oil burner. There's plenty of room in the chimney and my insurence requires it. They are not cheap though, around $600-$700 for mine and install (I'll do myself). 
Thank you for the info. Always kind of wondered if the round 6 inch brush and fiberglass rods would go up and down something that was that flexible but it sure sound like what I need the since I'm in a rented house, the if I ever move I pull the insert, the liner, and the landlord has his wood guzzling, no heat fireplace back. Zodiac 45 is there any tricks to the installation or do I just get it in the chimney and attach at the bottom and the top and we are ready to go. Any help is greatly appreciated.
haoleboy99
ArboristSite Member
When I installed my SS liner in the chimney, 2 story old house, we assembled the whole thing on the ground. If I remember correctly it was around 20ft of rigid SS 6in pipe and then 10ft of the flexible pipe. Carried it all up the ladder, stood it straight up and slid it down the chimney. Of course it got stuck and had to come back out. Working through the offset of the smoke chamber is the trick. We attached some strips of SS on the end and tied a rope on it and dropped it down the chimney so I could pull it from the bottom once it made it most of the way down. At the bottom I have a T fitting that allows easy cleanout on the bottom and the other connects to the stove. Don't have any issues with draw.
The flex SS is the only way we could have done it. It is expensive though.
The flex SS is the only way we could have done it. It is expensive though.
Zodiac45
Paleostoveologist & Sawwhisperer
Yep that's the way too do it. You need something to control the bottom (hardest part) and get it hooked properly. The T fitting is a must also. If you are doing a hearth type install, it's pretty simple and straight forward. The tough part (for me) is that the stove is on the opposite side of a fireplace (in another room) going through the back side of the chimney.The "thimble" is covered with a pie plate type cover. Getting that hookup on the bottom is why I have too use the flex type and actually pull it through the opening too hook it up properly. I'll fab up a cross piece that sticks inside the end of the flex (screwed in) with a rope attached in the middle so it pulls from the center of the flex tube. That's the only way i know too do it. I'll also have to fab (customise) the chimney cap too allow venting of the oil burner also.
chowdozer
Addicted to ArboristSite
btw, use rivets not sheet metal screws too. Screws will loosen. (edit) SS rivets, not aluminum.
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