Your chimney and fireplace system is made up of several components. These components help it to work as efficiently and safely as possible. One of the most important components of your system is the chimney liner. Its importance was not realized until almost halfway through the 20th century when the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) tested masonry chimneys for safety reasons. The test results led the NBS to recommend that all masonry chimneys be lined at the time of construction.
If you live in a home that was built before the 1930s, your masonry chimney may possibly be unlined. Since the NBS results influenced the majority of local building codes to mandate chimney liners, your unlined chimney fails to meet these codes. For over 20 years, Ace Chimney Sweeps has been providing professional chimney services. For example, relining and repair services, to the residents of the Elkton, Maryland area. We can bring your unlined chimney up to modern standards by installing a new stainless steel liner. If your masonry chimney has a clay tile liner that needs repairing, we offer HeatShield Flue Repair and Restoration services. Making sure your chimney liner is in good condition is important! This is because it serves three important functions, and we would like to tell you more about them.
Protects Your Home from Heat Transfer
Without a liner in place, the extremely hot temperatures that are produced during a fire can easily transfer to the combustible parts of your home. This includes the wooden structure around your chimney. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the NSB found that heat transferred so quickly through unlined chimneys that the adjacent woodwork was ignited in flames within three and a half hours.
Prevents Damage to Your Chimney Masonry
You also need a chimney liner to keep the corrosive gases of combustion from eating away at the bricks and mortar joints of your chimney. This prolongs the life of your chimney by preventing masonry damage, but it also increases your safety! What happens when the mortar joints of your chimney begin to erode? Toxic gases, like carbon monoxide, can leak into your home through the gaps and cracks left behind. Your chimney liner keeps you safer by reducing the risk in your home for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Provides A Properly Sized Flue
You may be thinking about updating your old fireplace by having a new fireplace insert installed in its opening. Most of these inserts are too small for large masonry chimneys, and this size difference can cause your insert to not work as efficiently. You may also experience chimney draft problems if there are mismatched size issues between your appliance and chimney.
When was the last time your chimney was relined? Contact us at Ace Chimney Sweeps to find out how we can help you with one of the most important components of your chimney!