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Does your chimney need to be relined?

As chimneys across the country undergo their annual inspections in preparation for the winter, it’s a fair bet that several homeowners will hear that their chimneys need new liners. But what does that really mean? Why do chimney liners need to be replaced? What are the options for replacing a chimney liner?

Chimney liners: A closer look

As the name suggests, the chimney liner contours the inside of your chimney flue. It insulates your fireplace from the rest of your home, keeping in the heat and smoke. Chimney liners also protect the chimney structure from corrosion caused by soot. Chimney can also help to properly size a chimney to improve its draft. In many homes, chimney liners are built from clay tiles. In other homes, the chimney liners are metal, generally either stainless steel or aluminum.

Why chimney liners need to be replaced

Chimney liners are incredibly durable. They’re made to stand up to the heat of your fireplace. Regardless, chimney liners do break down over time. Aluminum chimney liners especially will show their wear quickly. Clay tiles can crack over time, as they come into contact with moisture and heat, and the mortar joints between the tiles can crumble away, leaving gaps within the fireplace flue. Even stainless steel chimney liners are not impervious to wear and tear over time.
A weakened chimney liner can cause a major hazard in your home. Cracks or holes within the liner can allow the heat, and potentially embers from your fireplace to heat your home’s surrounding structure. That puts your home at risk of structural damage or a home fire. Faults in the chimney liner also can allow carbon monoxide to escape the chimney and put your family in danger.

Options for replacing your chimney liner

When it comes to relining a chimney, there are two methods chimney sweeps prefer to use. First, a chimney can be relined with an aluminum or stainless steel chimney liner. If there is an existing metal chimney liner, that will be removed, and the new chimney liner, properly sized for your flue, will be inserted.
The other option for relining a damaged tile chimney liner is HeatShield Cerfractory Sealant. HeatShield is a pourable substance made from ceramic and cerfractory cement, which makes it strong and durable. When relining your chimney with HeatShield, a custom made foam applicator is lowered down your chimney. The HeatShield is poured in, and the foam applicator is pulled up, smoothing the HeatShield into place. Depending on the severity of your chimney liner’s deterioration, multiple layers of HeatShield or different HeatShield products might be used to restore your liner.

Need a new liner? Call Your Chimney Sweep!

If your chimney needs to be relined in preparation for the winter, call Your Chimney Sweep  to schedule your appointment! We will inspect your chimney and recommend the best option for relining. We can then restore your chimney’s function with a new metal or HeatShield liner!

Preparing your chimney for winter

Your chimney gets the most use during the cold winter months, and it also takes the most abuse. When temperatures drop, your chimney bears the heat of your fireplace as well as the cold winter temperatures, ice and snow. There are several things you can do to prepare your chimney for winter fires and winter weather.

Schedule your annual cleaning and inspection.

Preparing your chimney for winter begins with your annual chimney cleaning and inspection by a CSIA-certified chimney sweep. The cleaning will make sure that your chimney is free from creosote, blockages, cracks and water damage. When your chimney undergoes its annual cleaning and inspection, you can feel confident that your chimney is ready for the fire-burning season.

Install a chimney cap.

Winter brings the potential for water damage to your chimney, and when water penetrates your chimney, it can leak down the walls of your flue, damaging the metal liner or masonry, rusting your damper and even causing damage to your fireplace. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, the best way to protect your chimney from water damage is installing a chimney cap. Installing a chimney cap this fall can have your chimney ready to fend of rain, ice and snow.

Check your chimney’s flashing.

The flashing around the base of your chimney keeps water from running into your home where the roof meets the chimney. Over time, that flashing can break down and leave your home susceptible to water damage. Before the winter snow and ice, make sure your flashing is secure, and have it repaired, if needed. If your chimney is on a portion of your chimney that is exposed to a lot of rainwater or melting snow, you can consider installing a metal cricket to divert the water from the base of your chimney.

Repair any cracks.

Over time, your chimney’s masonry, whether it’s the bricks or your chimney crown, can crack or spall. Those cracks can become worse during the winter when your chimney is exposed to excess moisture and freezing temperatures. Make sure you address any damaged masonry now so problems don’t become worse this winter.

Consider waterproofing.

Consider applying a waterproof seal to the outside of your chimney to protect the chimney from water damage. When water seeps into your chimney’s masonry during the winter months, that water can freeze, expanding and causing cracks to the brick, the same way it causes potholes in the road. Chimney water proofing keeps water out while still allowing your chimney’s masonry to breathe.

Call the chimney experts.

As you prepare your chimney for winter, call the chimney experts at Your Chimney Sweep. We can provide you with your annual chimney cleaning and inspection, repair any problems you may have with your chimney and talk to you about waterproofing to protect your chimney’s masonry. We can help you prepare your chimney for this winter’s harsh weather!