How to Install a Terra Cotta Flue Liner
If you live in an older home that was built before building codes were implemented, you more than likely have an unlined chimney. This poses a serious fire hazard, as flue liners are essential to the safety of masonry chimneys.
Supplies:
- Terra cotta flue tiles
- Chimney tile aligner
- Cement mortar
- Refractory mortar
- Tile aligner tool
- Joint smoother tool
- Measure the inside of your chimney. Find the length and width of the chimney walls. Do not estimate! Be as accurate as possible so you can select terra cotta flue tiles that are properly sized.
- Buy flue tiles. Look them over carefully before making the purchase--they shouldn't have any warps or cracks, and be sure they are the correct size.
- Put the first tile on the tile aligner tool. Cover the top edge with refractory cement, and lower the tile into place. Terra cotta flue liners will expand when heated, so to prevent cracking, install tiles centrally inside the chimney walls. Leave a slight air space between the tiles and the chimney, and the space is even all the way around.
- Cover the top edge of the second tile and carefully lower it on top of the first tile. Be sure it aligns perfectly.
- Use your joint smoother tool to remove any excess cement.
- Continue with steps four and five, placing tiles, aligning, and smoothing the joints until all your tiles extend outside the chimney. Adhere to the building codes for your area.