If you own a masonry chimney I am sure that you have heard of metal chimney liners but what you may not know is when a metal chimney flue liner should be installed. The health of a chimney’s flue liner is vital to the functionality of the chimney. If there are damages, or the flue is too large it can cause drafting and operational issues. Any time that you are experiencing issue with back drafts, smoking, or just feel there may be an issue you should have the flue and chimney structure inspected for imperfections. If there are issues found then this would be the time to decide whether relining the masonry chimney with a Steel Chimney Liner would be the right choice for you.
Why to Choose a Flex Chimney Liner
Metal Chimney liners are available in either single wall (corrugated inside) or double wall (smooth wall inside). There are also rigid versions of chimney liner but these options are not as popular as the flex liners. Installing the flex tube chimney liner is so easy that the average DIY’er can do it depending on the brand you choose and the warranty of that brand. Some warranties only cover the chimney liner if it is installed by a licensed professional. So when choosing a brand of chimney liner make sure that you keep in mind whether you will be installing it or if you will be hiring the job out.
Improve a Deteriorating Clay Chimney Liner
Quite often if you have had a chimney fire in a masonry chimney the inside of your chimney may become damaged. Chimney flue tiles are often damaged by corrosive gasses in your chimney. These corrosive gasses erode the masonry materials in your chimney leaving behind gaps which could allow dangerous carbon monoxide or sparks from the fire to enter into your home. Installing a stainless steel liner will prevent your chimney from allowing those toxic gasses from entering your home. It will also prevent heat and sparks from reaching combustible materials inside your home, which can create a fire. Often times installing a chimney liner will also put an end to a smoking fireplace or smelly down drafts. You can use a chimney liner to reline your chimney and improve the natural draft of the chimney.
Increase Appliance Performance
Having a good draft will significantly improve the efficiency of your fuel through more complete combustion. A metal flex chimney liner will improve your chimneys draft because it will allow the flue to efficiently reach optimal flue temps. Warmer flues will draft more efficiently than a cool flue or a flue that does not regulate temperatures well. Also if your chimney flue is larger than the appliances outlet there could be smoking issues. There are National regulations now that require the installation of a metal chimney liner when an appliance is installed into a firebox.
Reduce Dangerous Creosote Buildup
Excess creosote buildup in chimneys is the cause for approximately 15,000 house fires each year. When smoke in a chimney is allowed to cool below 250 degrees which it causes the combustion gasses to condense, combine, and solidify forming the tar like substance creosote. Because insulated chimney liners keep the combustion gasses hotter all the way up and out your chimney, they allow for less condensation and most importantly less buildup of dangerous creosote. Flexible metal chimney liner also accumulates less creosote buildup than rigid liners, especially when used with wood burning stoves or fireplaces. The flexing process loosens the creosote causing it to break away and fall off of the sides of the chimney liner. This occurs with the expansion and contraction of the flue liner as it heats up and cools down.