The chimney liner is a very important component in the operating system of a fire place but most people seem not to notice. It is designed in such a way that it expels hot flue gases to the environment outside. This is the main function of the chimney liner; to rid your home of dangerous combustible gases in a safe manner and get them out of the house quickly. In addition to this, chimney liners protect the chimney and the fireplace from damage by water and reduce the infiltration of cold air into the house.
This process assists in conservation of fuel and hence reduction of the operating cost. Despite the fact that a chimney liner that has been installed and maintained properly will last for a long time, replacing a chimney liner may be necessary at times if deemed necessary following the normal yearly inspection.
The sizing of the chimney liner is very critical based on the fact that very small chimney liners allow a reverse movement of gases causing smoke problems in the home. If the chimney liner is too large it facilitates a slow movement of the smoke up the chimney that allows large amounts of creosote to form. One of the major sources of chimney fires is creosote build up. In this regard, once these factors are considered, replacing the chimney liner remains the only option to put the system back in proper working order.
Chimney liners are made from different materials but the most common liners are; terra cotta, stainless steel, aluminum, cast-in-place, and modular liners (volcanic pumice, refractory cement or a mixture of fireproof materials). It is a safety requirement that all chimneys must be lined in the contemporary construction. This is why replacing a chimney liner is a very important task whenever you suspect that the chimney liner has worn out or is cracked.
If your chimney liner is leaking and it is made of clay tile or terra cotta, replacing this it is the only solution. As a matter of fact, chimneys should be checked regularly by professionals and if it is discovered that the chimney liner is faulty, the professionals may recommend you replace the chimney liner before using the appliance again. Chimney professionals are trained to check for damage throughout the fireplace and chimney. If there is any damage that has not been detected before or problems noticed by the owner the professional chimney inspector will be able to direct them to a solution to avoid additional or greater losses in future.