Insulated chimney liners installed in Westchase

Cleaning the flue before a new liner goes in

Liner manufacturers require a thoroughly cleaned chimney before installation. Soot, tar and glazed creosote left in the flue can hide cracks and make it harder to route the new liner past tight spots.

The same instructions ask the installer to look for obstructions, cracked, loose or missing bricks and eroded mortar joints. Cleaning is what makes that look possible. It also gives a true measurement of the flue, because deposits make a passage look smaller than it is.

On every relining job our team lists the cleaning as part of the work, so it is priced from the start.

When a bigger flue works against the appliance

A larger liner is not automatically a better one. Liner makers warn that high-efficiency appliances with cooler flue gases need correctly sized liners, because an oversized passage can lead to condensation and poor venting.

Cooler gases moving slowly through a big flue lose heat before they reach the top, and moisture can condense on the way. The result can be weak draft and deposits.

Our team sizes the liner to the appliance first and to the chimney second, and explains the choice in plain terms.

Placing a new liner inside the old clay tiles

Flexible stainless liners are tested and listed as an alternative to clay tile. The manufacturer instructions allow them to be installed inside existing clay tiles, or the tiles can be removed and replaced by the liner.

Leaving the old tiles in place is often simpler. Removing them can make room for a larger liner or insulation where the flue is tight. Either way, the liner is sized first and the decision about the tiles follows from it.

Our team explains which approach suits your flue size and the liner your fireplace or appliance needs.

Questions to ask before choosing a liner quote

Relining quotes are easier to compare when each one answers the same questions. The liner material alone says little about the job.

• Which fireplace or appliance is the liner sized for, and what size was chosen?
• Is cleaning of the existing flue included before installation?
• Does the liner listing require insulation, and is it included?
• How will the bottom of the liner be connected and sealed?
• Which top plate, cap and crown seal are included?
• Will the liner be labeled with its date and intended use?