Your Chimney Liner’s Purpose
If your chimney was built after the 1940′s, odds are that it has a liner inside of it. Prior to this date, there were no active codes requiring chimneys to have a liner, and because of this burning in a chimney built before 1940 is extremely dangerous if it has not been properly inspected.
The liner is protecting the inside of your chimney from the harsh elements of the fire, including gasses that will seep into your masonry while slowly damaging the mortar joints. These gases include carbon dioxide, as well as carbon monoxide one of the most lethal gases found in residential homes.
Your liner also helps to keep heat away from the wood that is typically lying beneath the brick facade, reducing your risk of chimney fires and structural damage to your home.
There are numerous reason you could consider relining your chimney.
- Your current lining is old and deteriorating
- New applications requiring a re-sizing of your flue
- Your historic home never had a liner to begin with — a very dangerous situation that should be dealt with as soon as possible
Relining Options and Materials
Chimney liners are most typically made of clay tile, metal, or case-in-place masonry. Each method has it’s benefits as well as drawbacks. We like to look at each situation closely, and determine the best solution for each chimney we go to.
- Clay Tiles – By far the most common and often times least expensive material used is clay. Clay tiles have been used for a very long time, and when properly maintained with annual chimney sweeps, are often times the best solution. But when routine maintenance isn’t performed on them, they will commonly crack and split into pieces, requiring the relining to take place all over again.
- Metal – In regards to pre-fabricated liners, it’s our opinion that the only material worth using is stainless steel. ARC Chimney Sweeps installs our stainless steel liners with a lifetime warranty, as long as they are maintained with an annual inspection and cleaning by a chimney professional.
- Cast Masonry – The most involved and thorough method is a cast masonry liner. The old liner is completely removed, and a new one is cast to the inside of your chimney, bonding tightly to the cracks, gaps, and other deteriorating areas forming a seamless liner without any flaws. This is another great option for your historic home, to maintain the original look and feel without sacrificing safety or quality.
While looking for a company to perform your chimney liner repair, you’ll notice many talk about aluminum liners. It’s our opinion, shared with many reputable professionals in the field, that aluminum liners are not a suitable solution to reline your chimney. They deteriorate rapidly, and are easily chewed through by animals, exposing your system to a myriad of other problems.
Even if you decide to use another company, please steer clear of using an aluminum liner. Odds are it will cause nothing but problems for you down the road. If, however, you do decide to give us your business, give us a call at (251) 545-4455 today and we’ll find the best solution for your chimney.