Old Smokey's Fireplace & Chimney's Blog

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.

Why Getting Your Chimney Relined Is Important!

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!