When you live in a historic home, you generally need to update some of the systems of the house so that it meets modern safety codes and standards. Not only do newer technologies get developed that make our homes more secure, but building codes and standards also evolve over the years because of results from tests performed by engineers, physicists, and other professionals. In the 1940’s and the 1980’s, the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) tested the durability of masonry chimneys after increased concerns about their safety and performance. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the NBS found that unlined chimneys were so dangerously unsafe that they felt that it was a “little less than criminal” to build a chimney without a liner. After the NBS testing results were published, building safety codes and standards were updated to mandate that every chimney should be lined. If you live in a home with a masonry chimney that was built before 1940, there is a possibility that the chimney may not be lined, and in order to meet modern building codes and standards, you will need to have your chimney professionally lined. Located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Chimney Services has been providing the region with high-quality professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services for years, and our team of CSIA-certified chimney professionals can help you get your chimney up to code with our chimney relining services. We install HomeSaver UltraPro stainless steel flue liners, which we have found to be the most durable liner for the best value. We would like to tell you more about the importance of chimney liners as well as what you can expect from our professional chimney relining services.
Why are chimney liners such an important component of chimney and fireplace systems?
The reason why a chimney liner is so crucial is because that chimney component serves three functions that are essential for a chimney and fireplace system to work efficiently and safely. Its first function is to protect the combustible parts of your home from the extremely high temperatures that are produced by a fire. When the NBS tested unlined masonry chimneys, they found that heat was able to transfer so rapidly to the adjacent woodwork that it caught fire in just three and a half hours. Your chimney liner also serves to protect the bricks and mortar joints of the interior walls of the chimney from corrosive and acidic combustion gases. Without a liner, these gases can eat away at the masonry materials, and this can lead to life-threatening safety hazards that include heat transfer and carbon monoxide leaks. The third purpose that a chimney liner serves is to provide a properly sized flue for your fireplace, stove, or other hearth heating appliance. To increase the energy efficiency in their homes, many homeowners have updated their masonry fireplaces by having a new fireplace insert installed into the existing fireplace opening, but unfortunately, masonry chimneys are generally too large for these newer hearth heating appliances. When the size of the flue is not correctly matched to the size of the appliance, the system is unable to function properly. Common problems due to size mismatches include excessive creosote buildup and overproduction of toxic combustion gases, such as carbon monoxide.
What can I expect from a chimney relining service from Blue Ridge Chimney Services?
If you live in an older home, you may not even be sure if your chimney is lined or not, but all you have to do to find out is to schedule an appointment with us for a chimney inspection. After the inspection, our experienced and trained chimney professionals will be able to tell you whether or not it is lined, and if it is lined, we can tell you if it is a clay tile liner, a cast-in-place liner, or a stainless steel liner. If we find that it is unlined or if the existing liner is damaged, we can install a new HomeSaver UltraPro stainless steel liner that will last for years. Constructed from 316 TI alloy stainless steel, this liner is so tough and durable that it can withstand crush tests that far surpass any of its competitors. In fact, a 280-pound man can stand on one of these liners without it even buckling! You are guaranteed that this liner will last because it comes with a lifetime warranty that will transfer to future owners of your home. We can also customize the size of this liner so that it correctly matches whatever type of fireplace appliance you may have. Your safety is our top priority, and you can count on our CSIA-certified professionals to ensure that your chimney liner is properly installed.
No matter how old your chimney may be, it needs to be lined to meet modern building safety codes and standards. Contact us today at Blue Ridge Chimney Services to schedule an inspection appointment with us. We are here for all of your professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation needs.