In many cases masonry chimneys are not designed to handle the venting requirements of modern high-efficiency heating appliances burning liquid propane, natural gas, oil, wood, pellet fuel, or coal. These improperly lined chimneys can cause a number of costly structural and cosmetic problems for the homeowner, and also create potentially serious safety hazards.

Relining an existing chimney is the most practical and affordable way to repair a deteriorated or damaged chimney.  If your chimney does not have a liner, or the liner it has now is cracked, or deteriorated, it will need to be replaced.  The new liner must be properly sized to your heating appliance, and must be made of the right material to insure a long and safe life time. In many cases a liner comes with a life time guarantee. When hooking to a solid fuel appliance the liner is usually insulated with ceramic wool insulation.

Stainless Steel Lining Systems

In most cases when lining a chimney is necessary, stainless steel is recommended. Stainless steel liners protect against hostile acids and creosote which break down masonry chimneys and corrode clay flue tiles very quickly. These durable lining systems protect the structure of your home from moisture damage and the very real potential of carbon monoxide poisoning. They are UL-listed to handle chimney fires, containing them within the liner, protecting the home from major fires stemming from very severe chimney fires. This method of relining involves installing a round, or custom shaped flexible or rigid stainless steel liner in the chimney. There are different alloys of stainless steel depending on the heating appliance. Flexible liners are used to go around any bend in the existing chimney and can be used for burning wood, coal, oil and gas. It is the most effective, affordable way to meet NFPA 211 codes. Most stainless steel liners that we install include a lifetime guarantee on parts and labor and are UL listed.

There are different types of stainless steel liners, including light flex, heavy flex, and rigid. There are also different alloys of stainless steel. So to use the right lining system, many factors must be considered such as, the fuel being used, the efficiency of the unit, the size of the unit, the height of the chimney, and the how much room is in the chimney. When ever possible it is best to have a round lining system, because flue gases go up the chimney in a spiral, so any other shape will cause draft turbulence. However in some cases, because of the shape of the inside of the chimney, we must use a oval or square lining systems. There are also some cases when insulating a lining system is necessary.

With all these different factors to be considered, we spend much time and effort in training so that we know the best solution for each case. So you can have the peace of mind knowing you will have a safe chimney that will last a very long tine.

Clay Flue Tiles

Have been used for many years, and they do work well when using fuels such as coal or low efficiency oil, but in most cases they do not hold up well to today’s appliances.  They include no warranty.  If they become cracked or broken they are no longer suitable to vent any flue gases and must be replaced. When being used for wood even a hair line crack can open up during a chimney fire, and the fire can pass threw to the house.