Your chimney may seem like just a hole in the roof, but it has many parts that must work together to ensure the fireplace and chimney are safe. Liners are is necessary for preventing many issues, including the transfer of heat. If you would like to learn more, keep reading.
What Is a Chimney Liner?
As the name suggests, a chimney liner lines the walls of the chimney. When you use your fireplace, the smoke travels through the liner, preventing it from coming in contact with the walls of the chimney. This helps the chimney last longer because there is less wear and tear. Without a liner, the gases penetrate the brick and mortar, causing the joints to break down faster.
A liner also helps prevent the transfer of heat, which does more than just prevent your house from getting too hot. If the chimney becomes too hot because of the heated smoke and gasses, it has a higher chance of causing nearby combustibles to ignite.
Why Should You Replace the Liner?
The liner also experienced wear and tear, so you may need to replace it occasionally. One reason is because the liner is damaged. Damage allows dangerous carbon monoxide to leak inside your home. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so you may not realize you are being poisoned until you experience severe symptoms.
Some chimneys experience condensation problems when the flue temperature is too low. This can cause corrosion and the build up of creosote (a hard, highly flammable by product of burning wood). Last, if your fireplace has been converted from wood-burning to gas, or you've installed a new wood-burning fireplace, you should reline the chimney.
What Types of Chimney Liners Exist?
There are three primary chimney liners: clay, metal, and cast-in-place liners. Clay liner are the go-to when first installing the chimney. Clay is amazing at absorbing heat, so it is excellent ant blocking the transfer of heat form the smoke to the chimney walls. They work well with all types of fuel.
Cast-in-place chimney liners are made with a cement-like material, and it is poured to line the sides of the chimney walls. Again, thanks to the insulating properties, this type of liner is great for any fuel, but unlike clay tile liners, they also add structural integrity to your chimney. This type of liner tends to experience less creosote build-up.
A metal chimney liner is the luxury choice, and like the previously mentioned liners, it works with a any fuel. The downside is that you will also need to install insulation under the metal liners because metal has poor insulation properties. Aluminum is an alternative and chapter option, but you can't burn any fuel with aluminum.
How Much Does Relining Cost?
The cost of relining your chimney largely depends on the type of liner you chose, but you can expect to pay between $2,500 and $7,000. However, this is a small price to pay to prevent major damage or injury to your home or family. Similarly, if you don't maintain the chimney by replacing the liner occasionally, you may have to replace the entire fireplace and chimney, especially if the fireplace catches on fire.
Clay tile liners are the most affordable option on paper, but if your chimney is already built, relining it with clay tile can be invasive and expensive. Metal chimney liner and cast-in-place liners are initially more expensive to install, but they are easy to install in finished chimneys.
Chimney liners play a major role in keeping you and your family safe when enjoying the fireplace. A poorly maintained liner could allow dangerous gases to invade your home, or it may lead to early wear and tear. For more information, contact chimney relining services.
Share