How Long Should My Chimney Liner Last?
This is a pretty common question – and an important one. Chimney liners are components that are built or installed within a chimney flue to protect the masonry and the house from heat, fire, and acidic damage. Liners also ensure the smooth venting of carbon monoxide and other toxic gases. As to how long your liner should last, it depends on many factors. Fire N’ Stone installs and repairs a lot of chimney liners throughout the Lakes Region in New Hampshire, so we’d like to share a little helpful information.
Inheriting a chimney liner
Most likely, you live in a home that had a chimney liner in place when you purchased the property. This means you don’t know anything about the liner before moving in – and you may not know much about it since you’ve been there. The three most common types of chimney liners all have general lifespans (see below), but those lifespans are based on optimal use and conditions, which may or may not be the case with your specific liner. If you’ve never had your chimney liner inspected, now is the time to arrange for it. It’s important to know what condition your liner is in so that repairs can be made if necessary and also so you can get a general idea of how much longer it should last before needing to be replaced.
Chimney liner lifespans
The general rule of thumb as to the length of service you can get from different chimney liner types.
- Stainless steel or aluminum chimney liners: 15 to 25 years
- Clay tile liners: 5 to 15 years
- Poured-in-place liners: 50+ years
Many factors will affect the lifespan of each liner type including the materials used in making or installing it, the quality of workmanship during the installation process, and the amount and severity of chimney fires that may have occurred over the years (many of which the average homeowner isn’t aware of). The lifespan numbers above are only guidelines and never should be taken as “carved in stone.” Your chimney liner needs to be evaluated before you can set an expectation for how long it will last before a replacement is needed.
Finding the right chimney services company
For inspections, chimney liner replacements, and all other repairs, cleaning and maintenance work on your chimney, it’s important to secure the services of an experienced company or technician. In the Tilton, NH, region, Fire N’ Stone has been serving customers with exceptional chimney work since 2009. We carry certification through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), and our entire crew is fully trained in all aspects of chimney repair, rebuilding, and component replacement including chimney liners.
Wherever you live, look for a provider that is licensed, insured, and experienced in the type of work you need to have done. You may pay a little more for skilled professionals, but their services can save you thousands on major damage repair and may even save your life. If it’s time to have your chimney liner checked out, call the chimney experts at Fire N’ Stone at (603) 293-4040. You also can reach out through our convenient contact form.