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Is it Time to Replace Your Chimney Liner?

Chimney Liner Repair & Install in Platteville, WILeading fire safety experts agree that annual chimney inspections are crucial. Chimney inspections provide you with the answer to the question: is it time to replace your chimney liner? Essential safety features, chimney liners aka flue liners are typically either clay tiles or stainless steel. They provide protection from two potentially life-threatening hazards. Below, learn what those dangers are, details on the two leading types of chimney liners, and more.

Why is Chimney Liner Replacement Important?

Chimney liners prevent toxic combustion gases from entering your home. They also protect combustible materials from intense heat. All chimney liners eventually deteriorate. If there is even the tiniest crack, yes, it is time to replace your chimney liner.

Exposure to Toxic Fumes

Carbon monoxide is among the combustion gases that are supposed to be contained within the chimney liner. When flue liner damage has occurred, those gases can enter the home. Exposure to carbon monoxide can be deadly. The fumes are tasteless, odorless, invisible, and start out being symptomless. It is essential to have operational carbon monoxide detectors in the recommended places in your home before lighting fires.

The Danger of Pyrolysis

When combustible components of your home become exposed to the intense heat inside of the flue liner due to damage, a process called pyrolysis begins. Pyrolysis significantly lowers the temperature at which the materials will ignite. Raging house fires caused by pyrolysis occur every year, and they are often devastating, if not deadly.

3 Reasons It May Be Time to Replace Your Chimney Liner

Other than damage to the liner, there are two other basic times when chimney liner replacement is needed. If there is condensation in the liner, it is probably because the liner is not the right fit with the appliance. And, lastly, if you have had a fireplace insert installed or changed your fireplace fuel type, a chimney liner replacement is almost certainly needed.

How Long Do Clay Tile Liners Last?

Masonry chimneys are typically built with clay tile liners, which are both economical and highly durable. Clay tile liners can last about 50 years when they are installed properly. Clay liners can work with virtually any fuel type. The installation of clay liners is easy as chimneys are being built. Repair of clay tile liners, on the other hand, is difficult and impractical. Partial tear-down and rebuild of the chimney are involved in clay tile liner repair.

How Long Do Stainless Steel Liners Last?

Most chimney sweep professionals recommend stainless-steel replacement liners. Lifetime warranties are often available, and stainless-steel liners can work with any fuel type. High-quality stainless-steel liners last up to 20 years. Less expensive stainless steel chimney flue liners may last about five years at best.

wisconsin chimney cleaning Richland Center WIHow to Prolong the Life of Your Chimney Liner

The best way to prolong the life of your chimney liner is by scheduling chimney cleaning services on a routine basis. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends annual chimney cleaning. Other leading experts say that chimney cleaning should be scheduled whenever ⅛-inch of creosote buildup is inside the chimney liner.

Contact Dubuque Fire & Patio

Do you know if it’s time to replace your chimney liner? Contact Dubuque Fireplace & Patio to schedule a chimney inspection, chimney liner replacement, chimney cleaning, and all of your fireplace and chimney needs.

Call us at (563) 582-5156 today!

 

 

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