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Chimney Liners & Caps

Chimney caps and liners are a functional part of your chimney system.  All of the components of your chimney play a role in how well it will work.  Routine maintenance and inspections can save you a lot of money down the road.  We detailed information below for you to see if you may need a liner or a cap.  Call to have one of our technicians evaluate your chimney today.

reasons to replace your liner.

traditional clay liner
Traditional Clay Liner

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211 requires that chimney liners be replaced if they are cracked, broken, or missing. Cracked clay liner tiles and the deterioration of mortar joints between liner tiles can lead to the leakage of flue gasses into the interior of the house. Those flue gasses contain carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Cracks in your chimney liner can also cause dangerous heat transfer to combustible material surrounding your chimney. Both situations can compromise the health and safety of your family.

options for replacing your liner.

The most economical and popular option is to replace the original clay liner with a stainless steel relining pipe. This can be either a rigid or flexible piece of stainless steel pipe that is insulated and inserted into your chimney. Since there may be several difficult and complex steps to this process, it should always be done by a qualified chimney professional.  Any oil or solid fuel burning application must have a stainless steel liner or terra cotta tiles (unless the manufacturers specifies another material).

Gas appliances can have b-vent, stainless steel, or aluminum liners.  Here at ECS we always recommend stainless lining systems.  They come with a limited lifetime manufactures warranty and are made of the highest grade materials.

any change to your appliances may require a change to your lining system.

Aluminum Liner
Aluminum Liner

When upgrading an older gas furnace to a new ultra-high efficiency model that uses direct venting (No Chimney) it is important to install a proper chimney liner to vent the existing appliance.  If you do not have the correctly sized lining system your mechanical will not function properly causing many different issues.

Today’s high efficiency gas furnaces can be 25% more efficient then the furnaces of just 20 years ago. Much of that added efficiency is achieved by keeping the heat in the furnace and not allowing it to escape up the chimney. This reduces the flue gas temperature, requiring a smaller flue to create proper draft. Existing masonry chimneys are most often too large to create the proper draft required for today’s high efficient gas furnaces and water heaters.

deteriorated clay tiles
Deteriorated Clay Tiles

This is a picture of a clay chimney flue used to vent a natural gas furnace. Notice the severe deterioration of the clay lining. This is caused because the flue temperatures leaving the furnace are not hot enough to keep the large masonry flue temperature above its dew point. Hot exhaust gases venting into the chimney are cooled inside the chimney. The exhaust gases then turn into a liquid when it passes by the surface of the chimney walls. This can cause extensive damage if the flue is not sized correctly.

Chimney caps help in many ways.

Stainless Cap
Stainless Steel Cap

A chimney cap is a device that attaches to the top of a chimney. Its purpose is to protect the inside of the chimney from the elements. Most chimney caps also have spark arrestor screens designed to contain sparks and cinders, and to keep animals out. Multi-flue chimney caps are designed to protect the inside of the chimney and the mortar crown area on top of the chimney as well. It keeps rain, snow, and leaves out. It protects against animal nests and natural debris falling in the opening.

make sure your chimney damper is functioning properly.

throat damper
Throat Damper

A fireplace damper, usually located in the throat of a masonry chimney just above the firebox, is a device that is meant to seal your fireplace shut when it is not in use. Why do most fireplace dampers leak? Most fireplace dampers form a metal to metal seal which even when new allows air to leak through. Over time, as the metal plates warp due to the effects of heat and moisture, the seal worsens and more and more warm air escapes up the chimney even when the damper is closed.

The benefits of top dampers.

locktop damper

These dampers seal with a silicone rubber gasket. When you close these dampers warm air is sealed in and cold air is sealed out. This tight-sealing gasket means these dampers will reduce unwanted heat loss by 90%. And, unlike replacement throat dampers, these dampers have a lifetime warranty. They are installed on the top of the chimney. These dampers can save you hundreds of dollars a year on energy.

Chimney Liners & Caps
Chimney Liners & Caps
Chimney Liners & Caps

Project:
Chimney Liner and cap INSTALLATION

Upon evaluation, we found that this chimney liner was in disrepair and needed to be fixed.  We upgraded a terra cotta lining system to a stainless steel lifetime manufacturers warrantied lining system.  Due to the old liners condition, we needed to replace the liner, damaged brick, and the crown.  We added caps for additional protection.  We inspect and repair all types of chimney lining systems.  Typical lining systems are made out of terra cotta, stainless steel, aluminum, and b-type vent.  We offer free inspections for home owners.