Stainless Steel Chimney Relining
The stainless steel chimney liner is today’s answer to yesterday’s chimney problems. In both the 1940s and the 1980s the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) tested masonry chimneys for durability due to rising concerns about their performance and safety. Unlined chimneys were deemed so unsafe that researchers said that building a chimney without a liner is a “little less than criminal.”
The installation of flue lining has been recommended since the early part of this century, and fire codes in most states now mandate liners. In addition to clay liners, metal chimney liners (usually stainless steel or aluminum) were created to address safety concerns with chimneys.
Today, stainless steel liners are primarily used to upgrade or repair existing chimneys and are installed in new chimneys. Stainless steel liners are great for use in wood, gas, or oil burning appliances, while aluminum liners are an inexpensive alternative for some medium efficiency gas applications. Stainless steel liners are valued for their ability to withstand the abuse of fire for an incredibly long time. These liner systems are tested by global independent safety science company U.L. and are extremely safe and durable if installed and maintained by a certified chimney professional. In fact, many stainless steel liners come with a lifetime guarantee when professionally installed!
What Is A Chimney Liner, And What Does It Do?
A chimney flue liner is a clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside a chimney, designed to contain combustion products, direct them outside the home, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion. In greater detail, chimney liners serve the following purposes:
1) Protect houses from heat transfer to combustibles. NBS tests showed that unlined chimneys allowed heat to move through the chimney so rapidly that nearby woodwork caught fire in only 3 and 1/2 hours.
2) Protect masonry from the corrosive byproducts of combustion. When acidic flue gases are allowed to penetrate to brick and mortar, there’s a significant reduction in the usable life of the chimney.
3) Provide a correctly-sized flue for optimum efficiency of appliances. Wood stoves and gas or oil furnaces require a correctly-sized flue to perform properly. An incorrectly-sized liner can lead to excessive creosote buildup in wood-burning stoves and the production of carbon monoxide with conventional fuels.
Have questions about chimney liners? Contact Ace Chimney Sweeps, Inc. today or click here to schedule an appointment online!
Another option for fixing chimney liners is a product known as HeatShield®. Our trained technicians can review your situation and make recommendations about this effective solution.
