How to Separate a Chimney Pipe
An interior chimney pipe is designed to radiate heat from the fireplace to the room. This pipe should have a thin wall of about 18 to 24 inches. Exterior pipes retain heat protecting the roof and siding. The exterior pipe should be insulated and have a double or even triple wall. With time soot develops in your chimney and the only way to remove it is by separating the pipes to access the interior pipe.
Tools Needed:
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- Newspaper
- Use a screwdriver to loosen and remove the top and bottom pairs of screws of each section of your chimney pipes using a screwdriver. You can start with any section.
- Place your gloves on, then hold the pipe with both hands and wind it back and forth. If the pipe is not twisting then you can hit it with your palms on the sides until you can hear a coarse sound meaning that you have broken the creosote in the interior pipe. Then you can continue twisting the pipe back and forth until it moves a little.
- Use a flat head screwdriver as a wedge to push in between the two sections.
- Twist the pipe as you lift it up and continue bumping it with your palms from side to side. Since the two pipes overlap each other by close to half an inch continue twisting as you pull out the exterior pipe.
- Break one side of the pipes loose by tipping it on the sides and then pulling the pipe down to free it from the one on top. Continue wiggling the pipe and pulling it side by side until the ends have become loose.
- Hold the sections diagonally and pull them free from each other.
- Remove the remaining screws and repeat this process for each section of the pipe.
- Use caution when removing the pipes, as there is likely to be soot and ash buildup inside of the pipe. Move your head to the side or wear a contractors mask to avoid inhaling soot.