A fireplace can be a beautiful focal piece in any home, and a great way to stay cozy on cold winter days. If your home has a fireplace and chimney, knowing the details of how it’s built and how to take care of it is imperative. Many homeowners have never heard of chimney liners. Here is some basic information about what a chimney liner is and why it’s important that you have one and that it’s in good shape.
First, let’s go over a few reasons that chimney liners are necessary. Chimney liners are a huge factor in keeping your chimney safe. They prevent heat transfer into your home, which helps prevent house fires. Additionally, they help to ensure that the toxic chemicals created by the fire are funneled out of your home and not into your living space.
Safety is not the only function of a chimney liner, as a good liner will protect your chimney and lengthen its useful life. Without a liner, heat and gasses from the fire can begin to eat away at the mortar and mortar joints used to hold the chimney together. This can compromise the integrity of your chimney as well as causing leaks. The last big advantage of a good chimney liner is that it can increase the efficiency of your wood stove or gas/oil furnace by allowing gasses to vent while supplying the air the appliance needs for combustion.
Clay tiles are the most common type of material used in chimney liners. They are the least expensive and easier to procure and generally work well. The downside to clay tile liners is that they absorb heat unevenly, which can sometimes lead to cracking and splitting apart over time.
The second type of material used for chimney liners is metal, the most commonly used being aluminum and stainless steel. Stainless steel is quite versatile and can be used for wood, gas, or oil burning appliance chimneys. Aluminum can only be used for certain gas stoves.
Cast-in-place liners are the third type available. This type of liner is created using a cement-like product that is custom installed directly inside of your chimney. Cast-in-place liners are great for buffering the structural integrity of an older chimney, work well with all fuel types, and provide a seamless passage for created gasses.
Give us a call at 610-626-2439 to schedule an appointment for a consultation. Our chimney experts at Lou Curley’s Chimney service are CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) Certified. You’re sure to get the best quality care when you call us for a consultation, chimney inspection, chimney cleaning, or chimney repair.