Things You\’ll Need
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Trowel
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Mortar
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4-foot level
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Chimney flue tiles
Chimneys must be vertical for strength. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
A chimney made of concrete blocks and ceramic flue tiles uses a special type of block that is sized and shaped differently than the 8-by-8-by-16 inch blocks found in concrete block walls. Concrete chimney blocks are 24 inches square, with a hole at the center that is sized to fit a section of vertical ceramic flue tile. Using these blocks makes the construction of a chimney faster and easier and allows it to take up less space than if it were made from conventional concrete blocks.
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Step 1
Ensure that the location for your chimney foundation is strong enough to support its substantial weight. If your house has wooden floors, begin construction of the chimney on the basement floor and build a solid column up through the floor to support the chimney's weight.
Step 2
Lay a 1/2-inch thick bed of mortar on the floor to begin construction of the chimney.
Step 3
Position a 24-inch-square cement block onto the mortar bed. Tap on the block firmly with the trowel handle to seat the block in the mortar.
Step 4
Lay a 4-foot level across the top of the block to check for level. The top of each block needs to be perfectly level to maintain the chimney's strength.
Step 5
Spread an even 1/2-inch-thick layer of mortar onto the top edge of the bottom block that you laid in Step 3. Place another block into the mortar, seating it by tapping it with the trowel handle. Lay the 4-foot level across the top of the second block to ensure that it's level.
Step 6
Place a section of ceramic flue tile into the hole in the center of the blocks. The flue sections are each several times longer than the height of a block, so you only need to lay a single tile for every two or three courses of blocks. Secure the flue tile in the mortar bed by tapping it with the handle of the trowel.
Step 7
Build up the chimney by laying courses of blocks and then flue tiles until the chimney reaches its planned height.
Tip
Wear gloves, when working with mortar, to keep the lime off your hands.
