Why a Chimney Liner Replacement is a Good Thing

Many think of home repairs as unwelcome expenses; but replacing a chimney liner is an improvement you can feel good about. The enjoyment and safety of your fireplace or wood stove are dependent upon a venting system that operates properly. There are three common reasons that a chimney liner needs to be replaced, all of which are important.

One—Your current chimney liner is damaged, which means that heat from inside the chimney can be transferred to nearby combustible materials and start a dangerous house fire. Protecting your home from this type of heat transfer is the most important function of a chimney liner. Even the tiniest crack in the flue makes your home vulnerable to a house fire.

Most chimneys are built with a clay tile liner. If installed correctly, the liner can be expected to last up to 50 years, but eventually the tiles will begin to deteriorate. If you see bits of crumbled tile in your firebox, it is probably because the tile is damaged and needs to be replaced. If the tiles are incorrectly installed, you will need to replace your liner even sooner. Your home is very vulnerable to fires if the liner is in a state of disrepair.

It sometimes requires the help of a certified chimney technician to identify damage in a flue because it’s difficult to see what’s going on down the length of a chimney. Our chimney professionals have the tools and the experience to correctly identify the condition of your chimney liner.

Two—A liner may be required to increase the usable life of your unlined chimney. Combustion by-products corrode masonry and mortar. Not only can dangerous gases enter the home through breaches in the chimney, but the masonry can begin to lean or collapse. One particular type of liner, a cast-in-place, can provide renewed structural integrity to a chimney; it can also withstand extreme temperatures created by fires made with all types of fuel – wood, oil, and gas.

Homes built before the 1940’s were not required to have chimney liners. Since that time, research was done that inspired an expert to say it is downright criminal to build a chimney without a liner. The bottom line is that a chimney without a liner is a fire hazard. In addition, when the mortar is eaten away by the acidic and corrosive byproducts of fires, toxic carbon monoxide fumes can enter your home. There are more poisoning fatalities in the U.S. every year caused by carbon monoxide than by any other type of toxin.

Three—If you are installing a new appliance, such as a wood stove, it may be necessary to install a new flue so that the size meets with manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation and operation. A liner that is sized incorrectly can cause chimney drafting problems and result in excess creosote deposits. The appliance will be unable to operate efficiently without a proper draft, and creosote can cause obstruction and make the chimney vulnerable to a dangerous chimney fire.

If you are given the news that a new liner is needed in your chimney, our chimney professionals will be happy to provide assurances regarding the necessary improvement. A sound liner that is correctly fitted is truly a matter of safety.

For your Fireplace, Stove, Patio or Chimney needs
please call one of our Sponsoring Businesses.
Chimney Specialists, Inc
869 Main Street, Highland, WI 53543
(608) 929-4887
Dubuque Fireplace & Patio
925 Century Drive, Dubuque, IA 52002
(563) 582-5156