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The way I handle old clay flue liners is completely different now

For years, I'd just chip away at a cracked liner with a hammer and chisel, sending dust everywhere. Then last fall in a 1920s house in Portland, a big piece fell and almost hit my foot. I switched to using a rotary hammer with a diamond bit, which takes longer but is way safer. It's a pain but better than getting hurt. Anyone else have a better method for taking out those old liners without making a huge mess?
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3 Comments
nelson.vera
Man, that close call with the falling piece would have made my heart stop. Switching to the rotary hammer sounds like a smart move, even if it's slower (safety first, right?). Charles21 has a really good point about the asbestos risk in those old Portland places, which is a whole other level of scary. It's one of those jobs where taking the extra time and precautions just has to be worth it.
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charles21
charles2112d ago
Portland's 1920s liners are usually asbestos, so wetting them down first is the real safety move.
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ivan774
ivan77412d ago
Wet cutting is the only way with that old stuff.
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