When you light a fire in your home to heat up your house, you want to be sure of knowing that it’s as safe as possible. If you are unsure whether you have a liner or what kind, you might be asking yourself is it safe what i am doing.
A chimney liner is extremely important and increases the safety of your fireplace and home. Also, a chimney liner is required to be present to pass chimney inspection for property transfer.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about chimney liners especially about ceramic chimney liners.
What’s a Chimney Liner?
A chimney liner a lining that goes inside of your chimney bricks. It may seem awkward that there is a liner needed although chimney is built already. But there are still many reasons why they’re important and required.
Let’s first have a look what types of chimney liners are there. Before explaining how a chimney liner can benefit you, you must first know the types of chimney liners what their pros and cons. are
Most chimneys were originally constructed with a clay or ceramic liner. These are often used when a home is first built because they’re inexpensive and work well with a properly maintained, or brand new, open fireplace chimney.
Ceramic chimney liners
However, clay chimney liners are not the most durable and can crack and erode under extreme weather changes and conditions. Living in New Jersey, you know that the weather is unpredictable. Also, cracks can occur during installation.
Aluminum chimney liners
Second type of chimney liner is the aluminum liner. Aluminum chimney liners are very durable but are only suitable for gas furnaces and water heaters, not classic fireplaces. They are good at retaining the heat well while they keep your chimney walls protected from condensation.
Stainless steel chimney liners
Stainless steel chimney liners are one of the best options in several ways. They are:
- Extremely durable, last for centuries
- Ideal for use with wood-burning fireplaces, gas furnaces and water heater appliances.
- Steel liners are popular choice for upgrade from old clay or ceramic one.
- Steel chimney liners will keep your chimney walls safe and protected for many years to come.
Thermocrete chimney liners
Thermocrete is ideal solution to older masonry chimneys built without liners. It is ideal because of the way it can be build. Inside the chimney is fitted with inflated flue former. Thermocrete is then pumped into the chimney flue, through the delivery hose.
Thermocrete® is a premium, durable ceramic liner for use in the repair, restoration and energy conversion of chimneys and chimney flues. Thermocrete seals holes and cracks, increases efficiency, and strengthens the chimney. Thermocrete requires no major construction and does not reduce the diameter of the flue.
Main benefits of chimney liner
Primary benefit of using a chimney liner is the increase of the safety of your home. Using a fireplace without a liner might lead to a very high temperatures in the flue, where ashes can cause flame. Also chimney liners create a clean and direct path for smoke to exit flue quickly and safely without any obstacles. Without chimney liner, your chimney walls will eventually deteriorate and contaminates will be able to seep through any cracks.
When chimney can’t effectively release smoke combustion outside, it the risk of fire is greatly increased. Also, the soot and creosote can more easily form on your chimney walls which means you’ll have to have your chimney swept more often.
Carbon monoxide is another reason why you should use chimney liner. Without using chimney liner your flue has fewer possibilities to release smoke. And you need to get smoke with CO2 released and you want to keep it out of your home at all costs.
Another problem is that chimney gets cold in the winter. While it is cold it is less effective in transporting the smoke outside. That is because smoke cools in the chimney flue and that is why it stops on its way from the chimney. It is called also chimney downdraft. With installation of an insulated chimney liner, the minimum temperature is increased significantly.
When it is time to install chimney liner
Some areas require that you have a liner to fire a fireplace. New Jersey requires you to have liner in your chimney. So, it’s good to check with your local municipality to see if this applies to you.
Another important factor that shows you definitely need a chimney liner is when you notice that your chimney walls are deteriorating at a faster than normal pace. When your liner is not in proper working condition, the heat or condensation will damage your brick at a higher rate. In this case, you’ll need chimney repair or brick replacement to restore it, which will lead to higher costs.
If you’re moving into a home that already has a fireplace, be sure to check if the chimney is lined and if the inspection is made. Seller is obligated to make the chimney inspection. Often houses have the original clay liner which is either damaged or to old.
Another indicator that chimneys liner needs to be replaced is condensation. In case you see water in your chimney, this tells that you need to replace or install chimney liner. Moisture is a chimney’s biggest threat. A good chimney liner will insulate your chimney and keep the moisture venting out. You can also make sure to waterproof your chimney to even further your chimney’s defense against moisture.
When you are going to convert your chimney, either oil to gas, from gas to wood burning or vice versa, it’s important that you have your chimney liner inspected or installed.
If you are not sure about whether your chimney is in good state make sure you order at least level one chimney inspection, ideally level 2. This sill makes sure that you find mistakes or other issues that can lead to chimney fire or CO2 leakage.
Hire professionals
Most people don’t have neighter knowledge, neither proper equipment to make a reliable inspection or fixing. Therefore, make sure you hire certified professionals to inspect and / or fix your chimney.
At Doctor Chimney LLC we are professional and certified and a member of NCSG and AAA + Rated Company.
We provide quality chimney services at an affordable price. We also provide chimney liners such as stainless steel and Thermocrete liners.
Get in touch with us and we will make sure your chimney works well.
