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.