Call to Schedule An Appointment Today!
Your Chimney Liner and What It Does for You
Odds are, your chimney has a lining on the inside, and that lining is serving several functions.
It’s protecting your masonry chimney from the destructive effects of fire’s byproducts — burning fuel results in gases that, if allowed to permeate the masonry, would slowly damage the mortar joints. That could shorten the life of the chimney and eventually allow those harmful gases into your home.
The liner keeps heat away from nearby combustible materials in your home — which means it’s limiting the possibility of fire.
Your liner can also be used to correctly size a flue to make your system more efficient, and limit the buildup of creosote residue and carbon monoxide.
There are many reasons you may need to reline your chimney: your current lining may be old and deteriorating; new or upgraded fireboxes might bring a need for a resized flue; or your historic home might have a chimney that was built without a lining at all — a dangerous situation that should be corrected as soon as possible.
Relining Materials and Options
Chimney liners are largely made of clay tile, metal or cast-in-place masonry. Each method has its benefits.
- Clay tiles – The most common and least expensive material used is clay, and clay tiles have been proven to work well when properly maintained. But the tiles will also commonly crack and split, which leaves them in need of repair, and they don’t work as well with newer gas appliances that many homeowners use and favor. Along with chimneys that weren’t built with liners, damaged clay tile liners create the most common need for chimney relining.
- Stainless steel – When it comes to pre-fabricated liners, we believe that stainless steel is the only way to go. Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep installs stainless steel liners with lifetime warranties, and we guarantee the labor unconditionally for one year as well. And these can work well in masonry options too – just ask our experts what would be best for you.
- Cast masonry – For a cast masonry liner, the old liner is usually removed, and a new one is cast, bonding to the inside of your chimney, sealing cracks, gaps and other deteriorated areas and forming a seamless, jointless liner. This is another great option that can strengthen the chimney in a historic home and provide a long-lasting solution no matter what fuel you’re using.
What NOT To Use
Some companies use aluminum liners, but we find those liners fall apart, get eaten by squirrels, and ultimately end up being a waste of our clients’ money. We don’t recommend these, because we’re in the business of bringing the best value, best workmanship and most durable materials to our customers.
Give Us a Call
If you’re in need of chimney relining, and want warrantied materials and guaranteed workmanship, call Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep!
If your chimney needs more than relining, the professionals at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep can take care of rebuilding and renovating even the worst of chimneys. It’s all part of our expert chimney services.
