Does Your Chimney Liner Need Replacing?
The flue or chimney liner is a clay, ceramic, or metal duct installed inside a chimney to contain the combustion products and then direct them to the outside. When a chimney liner is not functioning properly it leads to inefficient heating and venting as well as unsafe conditions for using the chimney. During a chimney sweep or inspection, a technician will check for any liner issues that could have arisen since your last inspection and determine if a chimney relining is necessary.
Existing Chimney Liner Is Damaged
A chimney liner can become damaged for multiple reasons: leaks and settling, lightning strikes, earthquakes, natural wear and tear. One important reason to have an annual chimney inspection is to see if any of the accruing wear has caused the liner to become unsafe.
New Appliance Is Installed
It is common occurrence for homeowners to suffer inefficient heating or ventilation from their chimney. Often this can be traced back to a heating appliance that is not connected correctly to the chimney flue. Heating appliances are designed to fit through a specific sized chimney. If an improperly sized flue is allowed to remain, this can lead to an excessive amount of creosote, which can result in chimney fires, and carbon monoxide buildup.
Chimney Fire
If you have recently experienced a chimney fire, there is a good chance that you will now need a new chimney liner. Vertical cracks will usually occur during a fire, and this can leave your chimney highly ineffective- not to mention unsafe. The problem is that it is not uncommon for homeowners to be unaware that they have had a chimney fire. However, it is not hard to spot during an inspection.
Mortar Joints Corroding
If the brick and mortar of a chimney are corroding, this is a clear sign that a new liner is needed. The gases that are vented through the liner are acidic in nature and are able to literally eat way at the chimney from the inside out. If mortar joints are allowed to erode enough, this can lead to a buildup of combustible and other gases such as carbon monoxide that can leak into the surrounding home.
Resources: CSIA, American Chimney & Masonry
Wells & Sons Chimney Service offers a full range of chimney repair services including chimney relining to the Allentown, Norristown, Lansdale, Pottstown, Berwyn, Boyertown, and surrounding PA areas. Other chimney repair services include: installing new chase covers, installing and replacing chimney caps, replacing metal chimneys, and chimney masonry work.