A Chimney Liner May Be the Answer

One of the first things you should consider is relining your chimney.  A chimney liner is often the most affordable and practical of repairing a deteriorated or damaged chimney. Chimneys can suffer and be damaged in many ways that include weather events such as hurricanes and lightning. However, they can also be plagued by simple settling and the most common form of chimney damage is a chimney fire.

Older chimneys may be unlined or their liners may have deteriorated to the point where relining makes the most sense.

Reasons to Reline:

1. To repair damage to the chimney, which may have been caused by a chimney fire, lightning strike, or settling, etc.
2. To upgrade old chimneys which were constructed without chimney liners.
3. To replace worn, deteriorated liners, which may be allowing smoke, creosote or condensation to seep through the chimney walls.
4. To properly size the chimney for a new appliance; such as converting from oil to gas heat.
5. To prevent excessive creosote buildup (and risk of a chimney fire) when venting a wood stove through an existing fireplace.

Types of Liners

1. Stainless Steel – This method of relining involves installing a round or oval stainless steel liner in the chimney. The liner can be either rigid or flexible; flexible liners are used for chimneys with offsets. Stainless steel liners are used mainly for woodstoves and oil furnace installations. American Chimney offers UL Listed stainless steel lining systems that come with a manufacturer’s Lifetime Warranty.
2. Cast-In-Place – This method involves using properly sized round or oval bell pulled up through the chimney while pouring (casting) a masonry material around the bell. After the bell has been pulled through to the top, a 2nd liner is applied which will resist moisture & corrosives, leaving a new seamless flue within the chimney. This method of repair is used for fireplaces and some type of furnace installations. This method is especially useful for older, weak chimneys as the masonry material adds a great deal of strength to the chimney after curing.   American Chimney offers Ahrens Cast-in-Place chimney liners.
3. Aluminum – This method is similar to stainless steel, but the liner is made of aluminum. Aluminum liners can only be used to vent certain types of gas appliances. Note: Gas logs intended for installation in wood burning fireplaces may not be vented with aluminum liners.
4. Flue Tiles – Used mainly in new construction, this method of relining may be suitable for short, straight chimneys.

If you have any doubts about your chimney give us a call. If your chimney is in need of relining, we will recommend the most practical and economical method for your chimney. Our technicians have the experience to recommend and install the right liner for your home.