Why a little preparation pays off

Fitting a chimney liner is one of those jobs that looks straightforward on paper and involves a surprising amount of movement once it begins. A flexible stainless steel liner has to travel from the top of the chimney, down through the flue and into position above your stove or open fire. Along the way, installers need room to work, a clear route for tools and materials, and a way to keep the dust that comes with sweeping and fitting under control. An hour spent preparing the room beforehand can save a great deal of tidying up later — and it helps the fitters complete the job in a single visit rather than working around obstacles.

Clear the room around the fireplace

The fireplace itself needs a generous clear zone on the day. As a rule of thumb, aim to empty the space within a couple of metres of the hearth, and if you can clear the whole room, so much the better.

• Move furniture — sofas, armchairs, side tables, TV stands and anything else that blocks the approach. Push what you can into another room rather than simply shifting it against a wall.
• Empty the mantelpiece and nearby shelves — ornaments, clocks, candles and framed photos are all vulnerable to vibration and drifting dust.
• Take down pictures and mirrors from the chimney breast and surrounding walls. Even if they are firmly hung, the knocking involved in fitting a liner can unsettle them.
• Remove the fire itself where possible — clear out grates, ash pans, fuel, log baskets and any decorative fuel from a gas or electric fire, following the manufacturer's instructions.
• Clear the hearth of anything sitting on it, and roll back any rug that reaches towards the fireplace.

Protect carpets, floors and soft furnishings

Dust sheets are standard kit for most installers, but a little extra protection never goes amiss, particularly in rooms with pale carpets or hard floors that show every mark.

• Roll back rugs and mats, and move them out of the room altogether if that is practical.
• Lay old sheets or dust sheets over the floor in front of the fireplace, extending as far back as the route the fitters will walk — often out to the front door and up to the loft hatch.
• Tape down plastic sheeting if the fitters will be carrying tools and a long coil of liner through. Avoid loose plastic, which is a trip hazard on stairs.
• Drape curtains and blinds clear of the chimney breast, or take them down if they hang close to the work.
• Cover or remove soft furnishings — cushions, throws and anything fabric that will hold onto fine soot particles.

It is also worth closing the doors to adjoining rooms and tucking a rolled towel along the base. Soot travels further than most people expect.

Make sure the installers can reach the chimney

A liner has to be fed from above, so access at both ends matters as much as access at the fireplace.

• Clear the loft around the chimney, moving boxes, insulation rolls and stored items so there is space to stand and work safely. Boarded lofts should have a clear walkway from the hatch to the stack.
• Check the route outside — move bins, plant pots, garden furniture and vehicles so there is a clear path to the chimney and room for a ladder.
• Leave the loft hatch accessible and, if it is stiff or awkward, mention it beforehand so the fitters can plan for it.
• Think about parking — a van will need to be close to the property, and scaffolding or a tower may be needed for taller stacks.

Look after pets, children and alarms on the day

Sweeping and fitting a liner is noisy and unfamiliar, and the dust can be enough to set off a smoke alarm.

• Keep pets out of the room and ideally out of the house or in a quiet part of it. Cats in particular dislike the sound of brushes and rods in a flue.
• Arrange for children to be elsewhere if you can, or keep them well clear of the work area and the ladder route.
• Be ready for the smoke alarm — a vacuum on hand and a window open will help, and you can silence a detector briefly while the flue is swept.
• Park considerately and give neighbours a heads-up if the work will be noisy or if access crosses a shared drive.

After the liner goes in

Once the liner is fitted and the stove or fire reconnected, resist the urge to light up straight away. Give the room a thorough vacuum — including skirting boards and any soft furnishings that stayed in place — and wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth to lift residual soot rather than simply moving it around.

Then let the fire settle in gently. A couple of small, controlled burns allow the new liner and any sealant or fire cement to cure without being stressed by a roaring fire. Check that the smoke alarm is back in place and working, and ask the fitter to run through the ventilation and maintenance advice for your particular flue. A little care beforehand, and a little patience afterwards, will give you a warmer, safer fireplace for many winters to come.