Benefits of a Chimney Liner
A chimney liner protects your home and your chimney’s structure from the heat of a fire.
This liner will also protect your chimney itself from the harmful gases and other substances a fire may produce. If no liner is present, these gases may harm the mortar joints inside of the chimney. These gases will eventually deteriorate the chimney so that it no longer functions properly- greatly reducing it’s expected lifespan. If this happens you could have elevated levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide inside of your home. This is not a healthy situation.
Having a liner in place may also help protect structure’s built around the chimney, including the frame of your fireplace, from being damaged by heat or flame.
Why You Should Reline Your Chimney
If you already have a chimney liner, you should realize that over time they may crack or simply wear out from use and stress. Replacing a chimney liner doesn’t have to be a long and involved process. We at ARC Chimney Sweeps of Marietta, GA are capable of suggesting the right replacement chimney liner for any size or style of chimney as well as installing it in a timely manner.
Relining Materials and Options
You have three basic options: prefabricated metal liners, clay tile, and cast-in-place masonry. Benefits and common detractors are listed below.
Clay tile may be your least expensive option, but it is also not often recommended today due to the difficulty of replacing damaged clay tiles without completely tearing down the chimney. It’s also very common for these tiles to crack, making this the least durable of your options. However, if you have this type of liner, it should last for a while as long as it is well maintained.
Metal Liners are what we recommend in most cases. Stainless steel liners aren’t too expensive as they have now become a common practice. As a bonus, we only install stainless steel liners with lifetime warranties. (The only caveat being that they must be annually cleaned and maintained by a certified chimney sweep.)
Cast Masonry is another option. This is best for historic homes as the process seals cracks and gaps, restoring and strengthening the integrity of the chimney. The cast bonds to the walls of your chimney, creating a seamless liner. No matter what you burn, this is often a superior option.
If relining sounds right for you, or you still have a few unanswered questions, we’d be happy to help. Call us at (678) 909-4366.