How to Repair a Fireplace Flue

Wood-burning fireplaces need a solid flue to direct the gaseous smoke away from the inside of the home. If you smell smoke in your attic, there is a good chance the flue has a crack in it and needs repair. Hopefully, the crack is within sight of the fireplace, or you will need to hire a chimney professional. Once you determine that your chimney flue needs repair, stop using the fireplace until the flue is fixed and safe for use.

High-temperature mortar
Mason’s trowel
Hammer
Clay flue section
Insulated steel liner
Liner insulation wrap
Pipe cement

Instructions

- 1
  Mix a batch of high-temperature mortar in a small bucket. Look for any cracks within reach of the fireplace or within reach of the top of the chimney. Use a trowel to push the mortar into the crack. Allow to dry for the time recommended by the manufacturer.
- 2
  Look at the top of the chimney for broken parts. If the top section of the clay liner of the flue is broken, you can hit the remaining portions of the same section with a hammer and pull out the broken parts. Lower a new clay liner section into the chimney, and mortar it into place with the high-temperature mortar.
- 3
  Install an insulated steel liner to act as a new flue for your fireplace. This involves cutting a liner to fit your chimney, wrapping it with insulation and then dropping it into your chimney. The process is complicated and involves at least two people, but most chimney lining kits have step-by-step directions.

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