Do I Need A New Chimney Liner?

Your chimney liner plays an important role in protecting your chimney flue. Not only does it protect the chimney flue, but it also ensures that your chimney operates as efficiently as possible. Lastly, and most importantly, chimney liners can improve overall safety for your household. As important as they are, it’s important to make sure they’re in proper working order. Let’s take a closer look at chimney liners and when you should look into getting them repaired.

Chimney Liner 101

Chimney liners are a necessary part of all chimneys due to most modern building codes. But not all chimney liners are the same; in fact, there are three main types of chimney liners. They are:

• Clay Tile: This type is common in older homes. While it’s inexpensive, it is more apt to crack over time.

• Metal (Stainless Steel): A popular, durable option that is good for wood, gas, and oil appliances alike.

• Cast-in-Place (think cement): This type is poured into the chimney creating a solid, insulated liner.

All of these options are heat-resistant and contain combustion gases from fires. A properly functioning chimney liner protects your home and chimney from heat and corrosion.

How to know if your chimney liner needs replacing

There are five main signs that can indicate that you should replace your chimney liner. Ensuring that your chimney liner is in good shape is important for your home’s safety and heating needs. The main 5 signs are:

Cracked or broken clay tiles – If you have a clay liner and see broken pieces of clay or cracks, your liner is likely deteriorating.

Smoke inside your home – Unusual smoke or smells indoors can indicate gases are leaking due to a damaged liner. Alternatively, this can be pointing to creosote build-up in your chimney.

Deteriorating chimney masonry – Similar to an increase in smells, deterioration can indicate many root causes. However, there is a good chance that crumbling bricks or mortar is caused by heat or moisture escaping through a faulty liner.

Rust or corrosion – If you have a metal liner, rust, warping, or holes in a metal liner may suggest that it’s been compromised by moisture or acids.

Poor heating efficiency – If fires are smoky or hard to start, your liner may be restricting proper airflow.

If you are experiencing any of the reasons stated above, it’s probably time to call your local chimney professional. While thesesigns could indicate multiple issues, there is a good chance the issue is related to your chimney liner.

Ready For Maintenance? Call Fire N Stone Today

Fire N Stone is a full-service chimney service that can help if you are in need of a new chimney liner or repairs. We’re the local, trusted team to call for assistance. No matter the severity of your liner issues, our experts can handle it. We also support our clients with routine chimney maintenance, masonry repair, or even outdoor kitchen installation. We never subcontract our work, which means you work with the same trusted team the entire time.