All About Chimney Liners

Chimney Anatomy

You may be wondering what the purpose of a chimney liner is. The name does tell you a lot – it lines your chimney. Most people would have the following question: Why? Your chimney seems like a very tough piece of architecture – bricks and masonry. That has to be a strong structure, so why is a liner necessary?

All About Chimney Liners Image - Harrisonburg VA - Old Dominion ChimneysThree Main Purposes

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) website, there are three main purposes that a chimney liner fills.

  1. Protecting masonry from the byproducts of combustion.
    Tests show that, if flue gases are allowed to penetrate brick and mortar, the acidic nature of the gases would erode the mortar joints from the inside of the chimney. This allows more dangerous gases to leak into the living areas of the home. One of these gases could be carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause serious health issues or even death.
  2. Providing the correct sizing for optimum efficiency.
    Having a flue that is correctly sized will make for more efficient performance from your heating appliance. If the liner is incorrectly sized, you could be looking at excessive creosote buildup or carbon monoxide production, depending on the type of heating appliance you have.
  3. Perhaps the most important purpose – protecting your home from heat transfer to flammable items in your home. Tests prove that unlined chimneys allow for a more rapid transfer of heat than lined chimneys.

Questions

There are several questions to ask when looking at having your chimney lined. Probably the first question you’ll want answered is why. Why do you need a new chimney liner? You’ll probably hear one of the following three reasons:

  1. If you have an older chimney, it’s very possible that your chimney doesn’t have a liner.
  2. It could be that your clay tile chimney liner has been damaged.
  3. If you want efficient, safe performance to go with a new heating appliance, you’ll probably need a chimney liner to fit with that appliance.

Another question you’ll want answered? Whether the liner will affect the venting performance! The answer to this: if it’s properly sized, it should maintain or improve your venting performance. This is one reason that it’s so important to pick the right company to line your chimney – and that company is Old Dominion Chimney Service!

Call In The Best

If you’re looking for expert advice on whether your chimney needs relining, or whether you even have a chimney liner, give Old Dominion Chimneys a call. They use video scanning equipment to check out your chimney. This lets them see if the lining is damaged, and determine the extent of damage – so that they can tell you the best course of action to follow. They are also experts in installing a new chimney liner, and know what kind of liner will be best for your chimney system. If you want great advice and expert service, give Old Dominion Chimneys a call today!