Filling Existing Terracotta Chimney / Add Flue Opening

I have a flue in my chimney that I may be able to use. Right now there's an existing propane fireplace on the second floor that I want to remove which would also free up a flue. I would have to fill in the old flue entrance and make an access in the basement.

I've heard of people drilling into the chimney with masonry bits and chiseling out entrances which doesn't seem that difficult. I'm not sure of the process for filling in the old flue. This doesn't seem like rocket science but I wondered if anyone has any experience in this.

Pics show the following:
Show the top of chimney (has an existing rain cap).
The current entrance into the chimney where the propane fireplace enters and would need to be filled/sealed.
Where I'd be drilling to add a flue (the two are being used, one is oil furnace and the other is coal hand-fed stove).
I believe the current liner is 6x9 terracotta lined.

Any major issues with this plan? I don't want to start digging into this until I do some research. Thanks

Make sure the flue you want to use extends down to the basement before drilling.

Flue extends to basement. Do you see any issues with this?

Are there clean-out doors in the basement?

The cut out piece from core drilling the new hole in basement can be mudded in up at fireplace fill in hole.

Inflate a balloon or plastic bag with a string attached to buck-up or brace from inside the flue while yer patching/mudding.
Don't be afraid to temporarily add 3-4 small wood wedges around to hold it still, you can pull them later and point patch those little holes later.
Then when mortar's set up...pop the bag or balloon and pull string from the new hole below to remove it.

Clean out is there.

Nice trick with the balloon.

If the fireplace is on the floor above the chimney probably ends there. There may be a cleanout from the fireplace hearth going down to the basement. Dropping a weight on a string. from above will tell.

Sounds like it's time for the ole mirror and flash light trick in through the clean out.

Cell phone pics up through the clean out.

That looks to be only going up one floor.

I didn't realize this but that was a liner that went from the gas fireplace.

Either I'll use the PV or this will have to wait. There's no climbing the roof this season. Don't know if there's any other option.

skobydog wrote:I didn't realize this but that was a liner that went from the gas fireplace.

Either I'll use the PV or this will have to wait. There's no climbing the roof this season. Don't know if there's any other option.

So there is no terracotta to the outside/top?

There's terracotta up there. This picture I took in the summer before doing repairs up there.

Okay...so, is the terracotta from clean out continuous to outside?

McGiever wrote:Okay...so, is the terracotta from clean out continuous to outside?

Yes. I'm assuming there's no way of getting that liner out from below? I MAY be able to get up onto the roof this season.