Your chimney is designed to carry smoke and gases created by your fireplace outside of your home. It needs to do this without getting overheated. It’s not uncommon to have a fire in your fireplace for more than a couple hours. However, did you know that without some sort of insulation, your chimney wall can become hot enough to catch adjacent woodwork on fire in just 3 ½ hours? The safety of your family and home depend on having a fully functioning chimney system. One that properly blocks heat from the combustible parts of your home. That’s why we here at Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney want to talk to you about the importance of chimney liners!
What is a chimney liner?
A chimney liner is a barrier between the flue and the walls of your chimney. This barrier is meant to protect the chimney walls from getting too hot and catching your house on fire. The chimney liner also protects the bricks and mortar in your chimney walls from deterioration. This is usually created by exposure to condensation or corrosive flue gases. When your masonry starts to deteriorate it can cause a number of problems. These can include structural integrity issues, greater heat exposure to your home, or leaking of toxic gases; this includes carbon monoxide seeping into your home. Consider all the things chimney liners do to protect you and your home. It’s no wonder that almost all fire codes require that chimneys have a liner!
How do I know if I have a chimney liner?
Any newly built chimney is likely to have a chimney liner installed during construction. This is not always the case for older homes, especially homes built before the 1940’s. However, even if your house was built after the 1940’s, that doesn’t mean your liner is working properly. Clay liners can become worn and the mortar joints can weaken over time. So, even if you are confident that your chimney liner is present, it is important that you have it inspected annually. Not only that, but a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified technician here at Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney! An experienced chimney professional should be able to tell you if you need a chimney relining or repair.
What are my options for fixing my chimney liner?
Do you have a clay liner that is fine structurally but needs some a few small repairs? If so, we can use a product called HeatShield® to seal any areas that may need to be fixed up. If the problem is more serious, you may need to have your chimney relined with a stainless steel or an aluminum liner. Stainless steel liners tend to be more expensive, but they usually come with a lifetime warranty. In contrast, aluminum liners are usually used with gas appliances.
Are you wondering if you should get your chimney relined? Then contact us at Old Smokey’s Fireplace and Chimney and have one of our CSIA certified technicians today to schedule an inspection!