‘Tis the season of hearts, Valentines, and grand gestures. If you’re all about sharing the love every February, why not spread some joy to your
chimney as well? In terms of chimney care, relining is a job that will make a big impact on the functionality of your system over time – definitely the perfect investment for such an occasion!
And because liners play such a vital role in chimney health, this service will ensure your structure stays standing tall and strong for the long haul.
The Role of Your Liner
So, what does your liner do? It’s definitely a vital piece of chimney anatomy. In fact, using a chimney that isn’t lined, has a broken liner, or has a liner that was incorrectly installed can put your home at serious risk. Here’s the inside scoop on the major roles your liner plays:
- It protects your masonry. We know brickwork and mortar seem strong and unbreakable, but certain elements can wear them down in a hurry. One of these elements is the acidic gases your fires produce – when these fumes have access to your masonry, they literally eat away at it! The weaker your masonry becomes, the less protected your home will be, and eventually you’ll have harmful gases, smoke, and potentially even flames reaching your household.
- It protects your home. Like we said, an unprotected chimney leads to an unprotected home. Numerous tests have been done that show how quickly heat and flames move through an unlined chimney. As you can imagine, the results aren’t great. In some cases, flames reached the home’s woodwork in only a matter of hours!
- It increases efficiency. All in all, if you’re operating your fireplace, you want it to work well. Liners ensure draft and airflow are functioning appropriately, which then means less creosote, less damage, and – you guessed it – heightened efficiency.
Which Liner Has the Better Value?
Now, some liners (e.g. aluminum liners) are priced much lower than their stainless steel counterparts. We see the appeal of investing in one of these more cost-effective fixes, but the truth is that they simply won’t last. You’ll end up shelling out more money paying for replacements time and time again.
Not to mention, the quicker your liner breaks down, the less protected your chimney will be. That means more money for repairs and replacement parts, too (on top of a whole new liner).
We suggest going with a lifetime investment that offers unbeatable protection – a stainless steel liner. This is one case where a more expensive and longer-term solution will actually save you the most money overtime. Along with this, you’ll eliminate the stress of multiple service calls, as well as the potential for more damage due to a faulty liner – well worth it.
The Many Benefits of Stainless Steel Liners
Along with having a lifespan that can’t be beat, stainless steel liners also offer a multitude of other benefits. These include all of the following:
- Protection against water/moisture: Water causes a wide array of problems within a chimney system. Some of these include deterioration, mold growth, rusting, rotting woodwork, gaps and cracks, general decay, stains, clogs, and more. Needless to say, preventive maintenance is a must – and your liner falls into that category. A well-fitted liner reduces the likelihood of water-related damage significantly.
- Increased efficiency: Stainless steel liners are known for their smooth, streamlined design. This allows for better draft and airflow – two things that are vital to good functioning and proper chimney health.
- Less overall decay: As mentioned above, flue gases can break down your masonry fairfly quickly if given the opportunity. Stainless steel ensures those gases flow up and out of your flue, rather than eating away at your brickwork and mortar.
- Wide compatibility: Stainless steel liners work with all fuel types, so if you’re looking to switch things up sometime down the line, then this is definitely the right call for you.
Do I Have Any Other Options?
If we look at your system and see that a full relining job isn’t absolutely necessary, then you may be eligible for FireGuard. There are a couple different methods involved with FireGuard. The mortar joint repair method is used when there is a minimal amount of gaps or fractures between the tiles themselves.
The other method is FireGuard’s resurfacing repair. This is used when bigger issues are present throughout the entire surface. If there is quite a bit of deterioration, then this is likely what we’ll recommend.
Always Trust a Pro
When it comes to your fireplace and chimney, most services require the help of a certified chimney professional. We get the appeal of DIY options (especially when a quick internet search can lead to countless tutorials), but remember that when you use your fireplace, you are lighting a fire inside of your home – this isn’t an area to take any chances with!
Relining is no different. The help of a professional is essential to proper installation, and neglecting necessary care can lead to expensive (and dangerous) damages. Rather, trust in our NFI-certified pros to help you out with it all.
Don’t wait – let’s get your appointment booked today! Call us at 828-687-9002 to get started.
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