How to Install a Chimney Flue

Lead Image for How to Install a Chimney Flue
  • 8-16 hours
  • Beginner
  • 500-1,500
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Flue liner
Metal sheeting
Screws
What You'll Need
Screwdriver
Flue liner
Metal sheeting
Screws

Fitting a chimney flue into a chimney is a necessary part of starting to use an old chimney. If you live in an old house, then you may have a chimney in the corner that has long since been out of use. Rather than using the chimney without checking it as you may be allowing toxic smoke to enter the room, risking poisoning of yourself and anyone else in the room at the time. Fitting a chimney flue can be done in a few hours, and can save your life, so is time well spent. Getting this job done doesn’t need the assistance of a professional if you have some basic home improvement skills. All you have to do is follow a few simple guidelines to get the job done quickly and easily.

Step 1 – Clean the Chimney

The first step in installing the chimney flue is to make it as clean as possible. Cleaning off any old soot, insect activity, and even debris from inside the chimney can also allow you to take a proper look inside the flue and ensure that it is not too badly damaged to use. If you see missing brickwork or serious damage on the inside of the chimney, then you should abandon installing the flue, and instead, get a contractor to come in and repair the chimney before it is used.

Step 2 – Installing the Flue

Next, you will have to create the flue out of the metal sheets. Lay out the sheets, and then roll them so that they are slightly smaller than the chimney space. Place a few screws along the edge of the sheet, and screw it in tightly. When you have done this, attach a string to the top surface of the flue, and send the string up the chimney. Take the string from the top of the cap, and haul up the flue (you may need the assistance of a friend with this). Nail the flue to the top of the chimney.

Step 3 – Install the Liner

Once that is completed, you will have to put a flue liner on the inside of the chimney flue. This will help to keep the chimney clean and prevent heat escaping, while still keeping gasses going. You will have to lower this liner down the flue, and then seal this along the top of the chimney using a band which is included in the kit. At the bottom of the flue, tug the liner down, and then connect it to the chimney buffer, so that it can be opened when the fire is in use.

Step 4 – Finishing

Before you finish the project you will have to make sure that the liner and the flue are not touching any area where the flames of your fire might reach. Take care when installing the flue that you don't leave too many gaps in the flue which could allow gas to escape, although this should be prevented by the liner.