Many municipalities require an inspection prior to the sale of a home. Chimney repairs are often one of the results from the inspections. When it comes to the chimney, there can be an unexpected expense you will need to take care of to close the sale. At the least, many have to install a chimney cap. The worse case scenario can be the need for a total chimney reline because the original liner is cracked.
If you are handy, if you can work off a ladder and have a helper available, then you may be able to install it yourself.One to two helpers depending on the heightNow before you rush out to the store, you should probably decide what sort of theme you are going for. Do you want the look of old Italy? How about a cottage theme? Why not try a country style kitchen? You will want to buy different accessories depending on the theme you choose.Two situations almost always will require this added step. Really high chimneys and corbelled chimneys. This is a chimney that goes straight up until the attic where it goes on an angle to exit the center of the roof line. The helper will pull as you feed the pipe from the top.If you prefer videos, there is an instructional video on chimney repair. It is available from the company that sells the materials. It is the same video used to train professionals.Your not done yet.Measure the length the liner will need to be. This will be accomplished with your helper. One person on the inside and at the bottom of the chimney will hold the tape. Measuring from where the bottom of the liner will be on completion, hold the tape while the measurement is taken.Certain accessories can give your kitchen a gourmet feel. Hanging copper pots and pans from a wire rack attached to the ceiling can add warmth and color. Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Growing herbs in a decorative container on the windowsill can be a great way to add interest and improve your cooking. Accessorize your counter tops with canisters or cooking utensils. A large bowl of fruit on the kitchen table can be fresh or artificial.On the end that will be the bottom, attach the bottom Tee connector. This it tightened with a pipe clamp screw that is a fixed part of the tee. Tighten it a bit more than sung but be careful not to over tighten. This is necessary for the next step.5. Get the griddle hot enough. Set the griddle on high or medium-high heat. When the griddle is hot enough, water droplets will dance on the surface. After putting batter on the griddle, turn the heat to medium.For the cost of the materials and shipping, you can install it yourself for between $500 and $700. Even with no experience many can install them in under four hours. There are of course exceptions but in many instances, chimneys can be done by homeowners.A tub of refractory cementHow To Install A Chimney LinerHack sawTo install the top plate, put a thick bead of silicone caulk around the chimney crown or at the top of the terra-cotta flu tile. The top plate now goes over the liner and gets pressed into the silicone to make a tight seal.With that measurement and your new liner laying flat, you will be able to measure and ensure that it is the right length. You will not cut it yet. This will happen when the bottom is installed and the liner is hooked up to the heater.Sometimes, you can just rearrange the accessories you already have to create a whole different look. It is recommended to group your accessories in odd numbers rather than even numbers. Different heights and textures are also attractive.The Installation2. Don't over mix. Mixing develops the gluten in the batter. Mix the dry ingredients together to dispense the leavening throughout the flour. Mix the recipe's wet ingredients together in another bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened. There will still be lumps. That's okay�they'll cook out. If it's beat too much, you'll develop the gluten and create a chewy pancake.1. Use a low gluten flour. We like to use unbleached pastry flour in our recipes�that's what our mixes are made with�but all purpose flour will do. Bread flour makes for a pancake that is too tough and chewy.7. Cook it right. You can tell when it's time to turn the pancake by watching the bubbles form and watching the edges of the pancakes. The bubbles tend to cook into little craters and the edges will be dry-looking when the pancake is ready to turn. A little practice makes perfect.So, why do the chimney people get so much money. Although there are numerous reasons, chimney building and repair is a highly specialized trade. Using newer technology and longer lasting materials, it is now possible for homeowners to do the DIY chimney repair and save.Put the cap on and tighten the hose clamp and you are done on the top side.Metal cutting shears (If you are borrowing, try to get right and left handed cutters)Baker's note: One of my granddaughters, Lily, loves chocolate pancakes with coconut cream syrup. (Who wouldn't?) When her mother makes these pancakes, she makes extra. She stacks the extra in a pancake and tortilla keeper and places the keeper in the refrigerator. When Lily gets home from school and needs a snack, her mother heats a couple in the microwave and serves them to her.8. Keep your pancakes hot. Pancakes are best if steaming hot. As you take the pancakes off the grill, cover them lightly with aluminum foil. Better yet, use a pancake and tortilla keeper to keep them hot. You may also stick the loosely covered plate in an oven heated to 275 degrees. For a special touch, heat the empty plates in the oven before serving.LadderGloves (there are sharp edges on some of the materials)First you will turn off the furnace and disconnect the flue liner from the chimney.What You NeedSome times a rope will be needed to pull the liner into the chimney. Either attach the rope to the bottom end or you will have to purchase a cone to tie the pipe to. How will you know if this applies to you?The cost of chimney repair on a one story house can start at around $1500 and run up into the $2000 range. But wait, there is good news.4. Prepare the griddle. Very lightly grease the griddle with a little shortening or with an aerosol can of vegetable oil. We often spread just a little butter on the griddle. The butter tastes great but it burns more easily than vegetable oil so use it sparingly.Once the bottom is in place (it will align with the opening where the furnace will attach to it), the top can be cut. Depending on how the crown will sit on the top, allow four inches extra to fit inside the crown.Only after the bottom installation is completed should this next step be taken. With a pair of aviation cutters or tin snips cut the top to the appropriate length. It is important that there are no sharp or jagged edges.Small trowel or putty knifeOnce the chimney liner is being fed down from top, the helper will need to make sure it threads through the stainless steel pipe clamp that makes up the snoot. This is the part that goes through the thimble or where the thimble would be. It may help to gently bend the clamp to help it receive the pipe through is easier.6. Cook uniform pancakes. Having the same size pancakes gives you a neat, uniform presentation that looks professional. Use a 1/3 cup measure for medium pancakes and larger measures for larger pancakes.It is always a good idea to inspect and clean the chimney before putting the new liner in. The tools can be purchased or even rented in most localities.The Crowning Moment: Topping it OffAt the bottom, it will be necessary to cut through the insulation (if you insulated it.)Once the bottom of the chimney repair is completed, it is time to climb back to the top.Now, depending on your taste and choice, buy either a bottle of bubbly or sparkling apple juice and celebrate. You just saved at the minimum, $1000 dollars and possibly even more on this do it yourself chimney repair.
Now, depending on your taste and choice, buy either a bottle of bubbly or sparkling apple juice and celebrate. You just saved at the minimum, $1000 dollars and possibly even more on this do it yourself chimney repair.
Author: Jonathan Steele
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