Chimney Liner Installation Service and Repair
Are you in need of a chimney liner installation service? Our highly-trained and experienced chimney liner technicians have you covered. Our experts who currently service homes in Washington, D.C, Virginia, and Maryland are eager to assist you in making your chimney safer and more efficient.
A chimney flue liner is an essential part of a chimney both for the protection of your chimney and home, and for your health. Our chimney liner experts are highly trained in chimney liner installation services and chimney liner repair.
Did you know that not all homes may have a chimney liner? Having a chimney liner has been a mandated feature of chimneys since 1945, but homes built before then were not required to have it. That is why chimney inspections are so important! We install and replace chimney liners.
A flue liner is basically a tube within the chimney that protects the surrounding brick and mortar from high temperatures, toxic and corrosive gasses, and embers. Without a properly installed chimney liner, by-products from the wood-burning process and high temperatures can lead to cracks and warping of tiles, brick, and mortar, and ultimately, chimney collapse if left alone. High heat and embers can also come in contact with other combustible materials within the chimney and cause destructive house fires. Even small cracks in the flue liner system can allow carbon monoxide, a toxic odorless and tasteless gas, to escape into your home which is extremely hazardous to your health. Lastly, a properly installed flue system is necessary for efficient functioning of your chimney. Cracks in the flue system impair the ability to draw oxygen in for fire-burning and expel toxic by-products up and out of the chimney. As you can see, flue liners are essential to the protection of your home and the health of you and your family. Flue liner damage can often be difficult to detect, which is why it is so important to have an annual fireplace chimney inspection by highly-trained professionals.
There are three types of chimney liners: clay liners, metal liners, and cast in place chimney liners.
Clay or terra cotta liners are intended for wood-burning chimneys, and are unable to handle the heat from oil and gas chimneys. Tiles can crack at high enough temperatures and with age so despite their low cost, this option often requires more frequent replacement and repairs.
Metal liners are usually made out of stainless steel, and can be flexible or rigid. They are typically used in masonry chimneys that were not initially constructed with flue liner tiles or when the flue liner tiles are cracked and damaged. They are generally easier to install, and are made in a variety of shapes and sizes so that they can be placed in almost any chimney. Metal liners usually need to have insulation placed around them to improve efficiency, protect the surrounding masonry walls, and retain heat. Another metal option is aluminum which is even cheaper than stainless steel in terms of material and labor, but should only be used for gas fireplaces and at low temperatures.
Case in place liners are made within the chimney itself. A cement mixture is poured down the chimney around an inflatable tube or “form” that is removed after hardening of the cement. This process creates a continuous tube which is long-lasting, and can be used for wood, gas, and oil chimneys. Not only is the liner longer-lasting, but it also adds strength to the chimney unit. Case in place liners are the most expensive option because they are highly durable and require heavy-duty equipment for the installation process.
How much does a chimney liner cost?
A chimney liner installation cost varies depending on the size and shape of your chimney, how many units you have, and the type of material you ultimately choose. An average cost to install a chimney liner can range anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000. Of course, a major factor that determines pricing is if you have an existing liner that needs to be removed prior to installation.
Our expert chimney liner installation service technicians will inspect your chimney and help determine if your chimney liner can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. Repair options include: placement of a sealant in clay and mortar cracks, replacement of existing damaged clay tiles, and placement of heatshield sealants over damaged surfaces. A cast in place liner can even be placed over damaged tiles to correct any structural damage without having to remove old tiles. Our experts are here for you to help you decide on what is best for your chimney and your budget.