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What’s Involved With Relining a Chimney?

What's Involved in Chimney Relining - Ann Arbor MI - Clean Sweeps of MIAlthough most homeowners realize that their fireplaces and chimneys will need preventative maintenance as they age, many are shocked when they are told their chimney needs to be relined. Understanding why chimney liners are so important helps many people deal with the potential time and costs associated with chimney relining.

Below is information that homeowners should know about what’s involved with the chimney relining process.

What is chimney relining?

A chimney liner is defined as “A clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion.” However, over time these liners may become cracked or damaged. This poses a significant safety risk as a damaged chimney liner can no longer protect the surrounding materials from heat transfer from fire. Likewise, some older homes may be missing a chimney liner altogether.

Chimney Relining Service - Ann Arbor MI - Clean Sweeps of MIChimneys may also need to be relined if the fuel source or size of the chimney has changed, such as installing an insert, switching from wood to gas, or replacing an existing unit with a smaller one. In these cases, the chimney should be relined to prevent drafting issues.

How are chimney liner issues identified?

Oftentimes, chimney liner issues are discovered during normal chimney inspections. For a more detailed inspection of the condition of your chimney liner, a Chim-Scan inspection may be recommended. During this inspection, a small camera will be inserted into the chimney, allowing technicians to evaluate the condition of the entirety of the chimney liner. These video scans often reveal cracked joints or crumbling parts of the liner that would otherwise not be seen.

Types of chimney liners

There are three main types of chimney liners. The type of liner your home already has along with the level of damage it has sustained may impact which kind of chimney liner your flue needs.

  • Clay tile liners: Clay tile liners have traditionally been the least expensive and most popular option for chimney liners. While clay tile liners are built to last, they can deteriorate over time, especially at the mortar joints. Replacing a clay tile lined chimney is extremely labor intensive and often involves removing portions of the chimney walls. However, damaged mortar joints may be able to be repaired without replacing the entire liner using HeatShield® products.
  • Cast in place liners: Cast in place chimney liners are created when cement is poured into the flue. Relining a clay tile lining with a cast in place lining may help stabilize damaged clay tiles. The installation of a cast in place liner is less intrusive than a clay tile liner, but the difficultly of the installation may be complicated by other conditions.
  • Metal flue liners: Metal flue liners are often the most highly recommended type of chimney liner, with stainless steel liners being the most preferred option. Although the cost of a metal flue liner may be higher than a clay or cast in place liner, they are designed to last longer and withstand heat better than the other types of liners.If you have questions about having your chimney relined, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today. Our expert staff can help you decide what relining option best meets your budget and chimney needs, allowing you to safely enjoy your fireplace for years to come.

If you have questions about having your chimney relined, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today. Our expert staff can help you decide what relining option best meets your budget and chimney needs, allowing you to safely enjoy your fireplace for years to come.

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