Your Chimney’s Liner
Your chimney is comprised of several parts that enable it to function properly. One of those parts, which is often overlooked, is the liner. In fireplaces that burn oil, gas, or solid fuels, a liner helps guide the harmful byproducts up and out of your house. Because of the critical job completed by your chimney liner (loosely translated, the likelihood that you could die from CO poisoning or experience a chimney fire would increase significantly), it is a critical part. Every chimney needs a working liner. This is one of the things our chimney technicians take a look at during your annual inspection and cleaning.
Your chimney professional may tell you that you need a new liner or that you need to repair the existing one. If your current liner was installed improperly or if it is deteriorating, it is highly recommended that you have a new one installed by a licensed professional, as a damaged liner can allow poisonous CO gases to enter your home. Depending on the type of chimney you have, there are several different relining options that may be presented to you.
The majority of older homes have chimneys with liners made of clay; it is commonplace to repair or replace them with new clay liners, although switching over to a stainless steel chimney liner is an available option. Clay tiles can withstand extremely high temperatures without damaging or hindering the performance of the liner itself; they also hold up quite well against the corrosive materials that are burned in and pass through the system.
On the other hand, the vast majority of newer homes have chimneys with stainless steel chimney liners already installed. These liners come in two different forms: rigid and flexible. The type your technician will choose ultimately depends on the shape of your chimney. A huge selling point for stainless steel liners, in general, is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. They resist rust and easily hold and move heat and smoke up through the house and out into the atmosphere.
There are many reasons you may need to reline your chimney. As you’ve seen, you have several options available to you as well. Our CSIA-certified technicians will be there with you every step of the way as you decide which relining option best meets your needs and the needs of your family. We are the top repair and chimney relining company in Richmond and the surrounding area and are honored to have a high customer satisfaction rating to boot.
