Chimney Lining

When and Why are they needed?

There is a variety of reasons to line a chimney flue, but it all boils down to safety!

A lined chimney is one that has a layer of protection (usually clay or metal) inside the single width of brick needed to create the chimney stack. For the last 50 years or more, chimneys have been constructed with clay flue liners. Previous to then, many, if not most, chimneys were built with a single width of brick for each flue. Older chimneys with multiple fireplaces and/or furnace flues will have interior walls dividing the flues, but not what is commonly considered a liner. Some older chimneys do have an extra layer of brick, laid on its side, on the house side of the flue. Although not technically considered a liner, it has some of the benefits of one.

All masonry exposed to the weather slowly breaks down do to the effects of sun, wind, rain and cold. Chimneys that are not well capped or maintained can have this breakdown extend into the interior of the flue creating unsafe conditions. Additionally, the exhaust from furnaces and other appliances is very hard on the inside of chimney flues. The main reason for interior chimney breakdown is the acidic moisture that comes from condensed flue gases. Water vapor is present in the exhaust; it cools and condenses as it rises in the chimney forming vapor clouds that literally rain in your chimney. Countless drops of acidic moisture soak the flue, breaking it down.

Damaged chimney flues are unsafe in a couple of ways. Flue gases from appliances or wood burning can escape into the home potentially causing illness. Wood burning deposits creosote in the chimney. This creosote can catch fire. This chimney fire can, in some cases, result in a house fire.

Excel Chimney specializes in accessing your needs for a chimney liner. Give us the opportunity to show you how we can make your chimney safer.