An essential part of your fireplace and chimney system, a chimney liner is required by most local fire safety codes and regulations. No matter if you have a wood-burning, gas, or oil heating appliance, your chimney should be lined to work efficiently and safely. At Blue Ridge Chimney Services, we sell and install a variety of different types of chimney liners, and we have the experience and expertise to recommend which liner will work best with your chimney. Even if you have an existing chimney liner installed, it could be suffering from damage and deterioration. A cracked liner can be just as hazardous a non-existent liner. Our staff at Blue Ridge Chimney Services would like to tell you more about chimney liners and why they are so important for a safely functioning chimney.
FUNCTIONS OF CHIMNEY LINERS
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), chimney liners serve three main functions:
- Protecting your house from heat transfer to combustibles, chimney liners are essential in preventing chimney fires.
- Chimney liners also protect the masonry work of your chimney from the corrosive byproducts of combustion. The acidic gases and vapors will deteriorate the mortar joints which leads to dangerously rapid heat transfer and leaks of toxic gases like carbon monoxide into your home.
- Providing a correctly sized flue, chimney liners make your heating appliances work more efficiently. It is important that you have certified professionals like our technicians at Blue Ridge Chimney Services install your chimney liner. An incorrectly sized chimney liner can cause large deposits of creosote and the production of carbon monoxide.
TYPES OF CHIMNEY LINERS
You can find three different types of chimney liners:
- Clay Tile – The most common type of liner in masonry chimney, clay tile liners are inexpensive, easy to find, and function well in properly maintained chimneys. However, there are a couple of downsides to clay tile liners. Because these tiles are ceramic, they do not distribute heat evenly. Uneven heat distribution causes an unequal expansion that will cause your clay tile liner to crack and split. These cracks must be repaired before you can use your chimney. The other disadvantage of clay tile liners is they cannot contain the liquid byproducts of combustion produced by modern gas-fueled appliances.
- Metal – Blue Ridge Chimney Services strongly recommend this type of liner, and we suggest the liner be made from durable, long-lasting stainless steel. This type of liner can also be made from aluminum. If you have a stainless steel liner installed by Blue Ridge Chimney Services, we will give you a lifetime warranty.
- Cast In-Place – Made from lightweight, castable cement-like products, a cast in-place liner creates a smooth, seamless, and insulated pathway for the gases produced from combustion. This type of chimney liner is best for aging chimneys because it can improve structural integrity.
Want to know more about chimney liners? Contact Blue Ridge Chimney Services to learn more about the importance of durable chimney liners.