Disconnecting a Chimney Flue Pipe

Lay a tarp on the floor underneath the pipe and chimney. Soot is bound to fall out when you disconnect the pipe.

Inspect the collar of the pipe that is connected to the thimble on the side of the chimney, or to the damper at the top of the fireplace. Locate the screws around the edge of this collar. There are usually three flathead screws that hold the collar in place. Remove these screws with a flathead screwdriver.

Pull the collar back away from the end of the pipe. Wiggle the pipe back and forth to loosen it from the thimble. If the stove or furnace is connected to the chimney with a pipe in an upside-down "L" shape, which is the most common configuration, lift the horizontal part of the upside-down "L" that runs from the chimney to the 90-degree angle up off the other part that rises from the stove to the angle. This should leave you with a piece of pipe in your hands, a chimney thimble with no pipe attached to it and a vertical piece of pipe remaining sticking up out of the stove or furnace.