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How do I know if my chimney is unlined? If you look down your chimney from the rooftop and see bricks inside, this tells you the chimney is unlined. In the photo below, missing mortar joints and spalling brick indicate this chimney is unable to perform properly, and can allow fumes and soot to enter your home. CLICK PHOTOS FOR ENLARGED VIEW
Clay flue tiles are the most common lining system for masonry chimneys. The clay tile liner should protrude above the mortar crown on your chimney. The chimney pictured below has 2 flues, each served by a separate flue tile liner.
If my chimney has a liner, is it safe? Clay tile is the least expensive and least effective type of chimney liner. Because it is porous it absorbs smoke and soot stains; clay tiles are susceptible to cracks and breakage during a chimney fire, or to simple degradation after years of use and/or due to lack of cleaning and maintenance. Even if you know your chimney is lined, an annual inspection is needed to know the liner is still in good condition.
Below is a clay tile lined chimney, looking up from the bottom. (The white spot is the sky.) Note the creosote deposits in this chimney and the cracked flue tile (top left corner). Vertical cracks like the one shown indicate damage from a chimney fire. This chimney must be relined before further use.
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DAMAGED CLAY TILE LINERS
See photos of damaged clay flue liners; learn why damages occur
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Stainless Steel Chimney Lining Systems
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CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
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A stainless steel chimney liner is a practical solution when the original clay tile liner was either never installed, or when the tile lining cracks, crumbles and deteriorates over the time. Water damage, chimney fires, moisture from the appliances or age can cause the deterioration of your clay liner.
Stainless steel chimney liners are an inexpensive alternative to rebuilding a chimney and is less expensive than other chimney lining/relining methods. Corrugated, non-porous, corrosive resistant and highly flexible, a stainless steel chimney liner is generally installed from the top of the chimney then supported from the bottom. This chimney lining alternative is suitable for use with fireplaces, wood stoves and for oil or gas furnace flues.
Available in both round and oval shapes and in a variety of diameters, stainless steel chimney liners are flexible enough to accommodate most chimneys with offsets and bends. The round or oval shape also improves drafting, as smoke and fumes rise in a spiral pattern; this results in greater efficiency, less smoke/fumes and keeps the chimney cleaner.
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PROJECT 2
As part of a historic fireplace renovation, we installed a stainless steel lining system into this home as well as redesigning the fireplace for greater efficiency
>> Click any photo to enlarge
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(1) BEFORE: The fireplace in this older home has deteriorated badly...
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(2) and the chimney is unlined
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(3) We removed the mantel and the bricks from the old fireplace. If you enlarge the photo and look closely, there are 2 liners visible; the other liner will serve a furnace in the basement.
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(4) Next we installed an Ahrens Masonry Fireplace Restoration System, and rebricked the facing of the fireplace. The Ahrens cast cement fireplace system is aerodynamically designed to provide more heat into the room; it's both durable and attractive. |
(5) We finished the project by reinstalling the original antique slate mantel and lit the first fire in the newly designed fireplace. |
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We invite you to e-mail us with any questions; you may also fill out our Service Request form online and we will contact you to arrange your appointment details.
ELITE CHIMNEYS: Building A Solid Future, One Brick At A Time
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