Do It Yourself and Other Educational Chimney and Fire Safety Articles

If you want to try to install your own chimney liner, you need to purchase the coiled liner (such as the one pictured to the left) and measure it to the length of your chimney.   You will make a mark at the correct length and cut off the extra coil.  Make sure you have work gloves on before you start as this is very sharp and you can easily cut yourself.  Cut the liner the length of your chimney so it reaches the cap and goes all the way to the bottom so you have some extra room.  Use tin snips to cut the line you have drawn around the liner.     

Next, you have to insulate the chimney liner which is a nationwide regulation.  The insulation will keep the liner warmer and reduce creosote buildup.  According to US regulation, the insulation must be a half inch thick and it is called profoil liner insulation.   You will use foil tape to hold the insulation in place on your liner. 

Finally, you will cover the insulation with mesh to keep it in place and prevent tearing during the installation into your chimney.  Get on your roof and bend the liner to get it down into your chimney.  It may get stuck on the damper on the way down, in which case, you will need to go from the bottom and pull it the rest of the way through your chimney.  If you are attaching the bottom to a stove, you would do this part next.  If not, the bottom is complete and you need to finish the installation on your roof by screwing the top plate and the cap on. 

To install the top plate and chimney cap, drill four holes in the corner of your chimney using a masonry bit drill and match the holes into the top plate.  Apply a line of silicon to tightly seal it into place and finally screw the top plate into place on the base of the chimney top.  You also want to apply silicon between the top of your liner to the top of your top plate, where the two intersect to create a tight seal and prevent drafting.  The silicon will also keep any insects or rain out of your cap.  This does not need to look perfect because the cap will cover this section.  The last step is to slide and clamp the chimney cap onto the liner.  Installation is complete!