How to identify repair and replace damaged flue liner
It is common for people to have a chimney, but fewer people know too much about how it works. In case you don’t check inside your chimney during the years when you’ve lit fires in your fireplace, you could have a major problem. As with anything related to fire, fireplaces and chimneys can pose dangers, and many people don’t realize how simple it is to prevent these problems. A chimney liner is one of the significant parts of the home chimney which most people ignore. We will discuss in this article how you can identify and also repair your Flue liner.
In order to ensure fireplace safety, one of the most important things you can do is to ensure that your chimney liners are correctly installed and maintained. Flue liners protect your house from the heat and chemicals of fire by directing the gases from your chimney up and out. Some older liners become corroded, allowing dangerous gases to enter the home. The chimneys of older houses sometimes do not have liners at all. This can result in toxic byproducts of fires building up in the chimney, eventually causing a fire. It is crucial to determine your chimney’s lining as soon as possible if you aren’t sure. We already have discussed some types of flue liners in the previous article. Now we will discuss how to inspect, repair or replace it.
Why is Flue Liner Damaged?
There are several causes that can damage your liner, but here are some of the more important ones:
- It is improperly constructed or the wrong size of liner.
- A corrosive byproduct of combustion leads to deterioration. Mortar joints deteriorate quickly when exposed to acidic flue gases.
- A poor fit between the lining and the appliance can lead to excessive creosote buildup. Mixing creosote and moisture accelerates flue liner deterioration.
- Due to climate change or very high temperatures.
How to Identify Damage
There are generally no apparent signs that a chimney liner has been damaged. Occasionally, you might notice masonry cracks in your fireplace. Perhaps there are deteriorated flue liner pieces that have fallen into the firebox. Since it is usually not immediately apparent that a liner needs repairs, you should have a reputable chimney technician inspect the entire flue once a year. To avoid unsafe chimney conditions, you should perform regular chimney inspections.
When to Repair Liner
In the initial construction of a chimney, the flue liner is usually made of tiles since they are the most affordable option. Whenever a tile is damaged, the repair is very challenging, often requiring tearing down a portion of the chimney to complete. Even if repairing is possible, it is usually not an economically feasible option.
When to Replace Liner
The only option when damaged flues cannot be repaired is to replace them. Replacing a damaged flue liner with a stainless steel liner is the easiest and most affordable method. Stainless steel chimney liners need to be installed professionally to ensure they are the right size and work properly. If you need to have a chimney examined, have a flue liner repaired, or need to replace it, contact Atlantic Brick and Stone today and get the best chimney services in Fredericton.