Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

We Install Stainless Steel and Aluminum Liners

Your chimney serves as a source of enjoyment for your whole family. However, if your chimney isn’t properly lined, you may be putting your family at risk. Your chimney liner serves two main functions. First, it gives smoke, gases, and heat a smooth path from your fireplace to outside your home. Secondly, and most importantly, it protects your home from heat produced in your fireplace. At Old Smokey’s, we can’t stress enough the importance of having a liner installed in your chimney. In fact, if you do not have a liner installed in your chimney, your fireplace is not safe to use. Let us help you determine if your chimney liner is functioning properly and ready for use.

What is a chimney liner?

When you use your fireplace, your masonry naturally conducts heat. Although your masonry is not flammable, it can hold heat and transfer it to your surrounding woodwork. If your woodwork gets hot enough, this can be a serious safety hazard. The National Bureau of Standards tested chimneys with no liner. They discovered a fire lasting over 3 hours with no liner increased risk of a house fire. Because of this, fire codes today require having a protective liner in the chimney. This creates a barrier between the inside of your chimney and your home.

How do I know if I have a chimney liner?

In the 1940s, fire codes became more strict. Therefore, if your home was built after the 1940s, you most likely have a liner installed. If you are unsure whether you have one or not, do not operate your fireplace until you have an inspection. Schedule a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney technician to inspect it and give you guidance.

If your home was built after the 1940s this does not mean that you can just forget about your liner. Chimney liners can crack or become holey, exposing parts of your home to extreme heat. Because of this, you still need to have your liner (along with your entire chimney system) inspected annually to determine if your liner is showing any signs of weakening. If your liner isn’t working properly, it can lead to a number of issues including masonry erosion and carbon monoxide exposure.

We can help!

At Old Smokey’s we offer a number of liner options, however, the most common ones that we install are either made from stainless steel or aluminum. These types of liners are relatively easy to install, insulate well, and are very durable. Our CSIA certified chimney technicians are well trained and have many years of experience installing chimney liners, so you can trust that your chimney liner will function the way it is supposed to.

If you have questions regarding your chimney liner, we here at Old Smokey’s can help you determine the condition of your chimney liner and any steps that need to be taken. Call Old Smokey’s today at 260-424-0009 or schedule an appointment online to have a technician come to your home for an inspection. We look forward to serving you!

Which Type of Flue Liner Does My Chimney Need?

It’s time for your annual chimney inspection and cleaning, and the CSIA certified professionals at Old Smokey’s are excited to come to your home and make sure that your fireplace and chimney system is working efficiently and safely. When we come in and make our inspection, one thing that we’ll be checking out is the condition of your chimney liner. Your chimney liner plays an important role in keeping your chimney safe, and we know just what to look for to make sure it is doing its job effectively.

Chimney Liners

Although your chimney is designed to carry the by-products of your fire up and out of your home, the uneven structure of the bricks and mortar aren’t the most efficient channel for this happen. Parging older chimneys often helps this process. During parging, the builders would line the interior of the chimney with mortar to create a smooth, even surface. Later on, clay tiles were used, and more recently, metal liners have become a popular material for lining chimneys.

Your chimney liner can be damaged in several ways. The most common problem with chimney liners is improper installation or fit. An improper fit of the chimney liner hinders the flow of gases out of your fireplace. Your liner can also become cracked or damaged due to the normal settling of your home. Chimney fires also damage your liner. If we detect any type of damage to your chimney liner, we will recommend replacing it.

Types of Liners

There are three main types of chimney liners: metal, clay, and cast in mortar. Your decision on which type to use depends on what type of chimney you have. Currently, the most common choice is probably metal, either flexible or rigid. If you have a straight flue, you could use a rigid metal liner, but if you have any type of angles in your flue, you’ll want to go with a more flexible option. There are several different types of metal as well, and different types work better with different heating systems. For example, if you have a gas appliance, you can use an aluminum liner, but not with other heating fuels. If you burn wood or coal, then a stainless steel liner will work well.

Clay liners are also a great option, as they can withstand high heat and last for a long time. The downside to clay liners is that they are generally a more expensive option. If you have a very narrow, straight chimney, then another option might be a cast in mortar liner, which involves the use of a rubber bladder to install, then remove when the mortar is dried. This is a great, long-lasting option which can work with any heating source and works well with narrow or oddly shaped chimneys. Here again, it is a costly installation process.

Call Today

If you think you might need a new chimney liner, give us a call today at 260-424-0009 or schedule an appointment online to have a technician come for a home inspection.At Old Smokey’s, we look forward to offering great advice and excellent service.