Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

What’s Involved With Relining a Chimney?

Although most homeowners realize that their fireplaces and chimneys will need preventative maintenance as they age, many are shocked when they are told their chimney needs to be relined. Understanding why chimney liners are so important helps many people deal with the potential time and costs associated with chimney relining.

Below is information that homeowners should know about what’s involved with the chimney relining process.

What is chimney relining?

A chimney liner is defined as “A clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion.” However, over time these liners may become cracked or damaged. This poses a significant safety risk as a damaged chimney liner can no longer protect the surrounding materials from heat transfer from fire. Likewise, some older homes may be missing a chimney liner altogether.

Chimneys may also need to be relined if the fuel source or size of the chimney has changed, such as installing an insert, switching from wood to gas, or replacing an existing unit with a smaller one. In these cases, the chimney should be relined to prevent drafting issues.

How are chimney liner issues identified?

Oftentimes, chimney liner issues are discovered during normal chimney inspections. For a more detailed inspection of the condition of your chimney liner, a Chim-Scan inspection may be recommended. During this inspection, a small camera will be inserted into the chimney, allowing technicians to evaluate the condition of the entirety of the chimney liner. These video scans often reveal cracked joints or crumbling parts of the liner that would otherwise not be seen.

Types of chimney liners

There are three main types of chimney liners. The type of liner your home already has along with the level of damage it has sustained may impact which kind of chimney liner your flue needs.

• Clay tile liners: Clay tile liners have traditionally been the least expensive and most popular option for chimney liners. While clay tile liners are built to last, they can deteriorate over time, especially at the mortar joints. Replacing a clay tile lined chimney is extremely labor intensive and often involves removing portions of the chimney walls. However, damaged mortar joints may be able to be repaired without replacing the entire liner using HeatShield® products.
• Cast in place liners: Cast in place chimney liners are created when cement is poured into the flue. Relining a clay tile lining with a cast in place lining may help stabilize damaged clay tiles. The installation of a cast in place liner is less intrusive than a clay tile liner, but the difficultly of the installation may be complicated by other conditions.
• Metal flue liners: Metal flue liners are often the most highly recommended type of chimney liner, with stainless steel liners being the most preferred option. Although the cost of a metal flue liner may be higher than a clay or cast in place liner, they are designed to last longer and withstand heat better than the other types of liners.If you have questions about having your chimney relined, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today. Our expert staff can help you decide what relining option best meets your budget and chimney needs, allowing you to safely enjoy your fireplace for years to come.

If you have questions about having your chimney relined, contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today. Our expert staff can help you decide what relining option best meets your budget and chimney needs, allowing you to safely enjoy your fireplace for years to come.

Holiday Fireplace Safety Tips

November and December are a festive time of year when many families get together for holiday celebrations. Often, these festivities involve sitting together in front of a roaring fire, admiring a brightly decorated tree or a festively adorned mantle. However, there are special fireplace safety concerns that can arise during the holidays. Following these safety tips can ensure your family enjoys a safe and happy holiday season.

Cleaning and inspection 

The colder weather that accompanies the holiday season also coincides with the heaviest use periods for fireplace. For that reason, it is recommended that homeowners have their annual sweep and inspection before the holidays get under way. National Fire Protection Association  Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”

A yearly chimney sweep and inspection can greatly reduce the risk of chimney fire by removing any harmful deposits of creosote, a highly flammable byproduct of wood burning fires, in the chimney. Likewise, inspections can spot any problems or damage with a fireplace or chimney system, helping to resolve them before they turn into major safety issues.

Holiday decor 

Trimming the tree and decorating the mantle are just a few of the things that make a house feel like a home during the holidays. However, there are several safety tips homeowners should follow to reduce the risk of accidental house fire.

Christmas trees: Christmas trees, whether real or artificial, should be placed at least three feet away from all fireplaces or heating appliances. Likewise, real trees should be taken down sooner rather than later; the longer a tree has been up, the drier it becomes and the greater risk it poses for accidentally catching on fire.

Mantle décor: The stockings can still be hung by the chimney with care, but they should be moved or taken down before the fireplace is used. Likewise, do not drape ribbon or greenery over the edge of the mantle, as any stray sparks can ignite these decorations.

Burning and recycling 

Holiday wrapping paper, packing materials, and boxes should never be burned in a fireplace. These highly combustible materials ignite quickly and can cause the flames to travel up the chimney or out into the room. The colored dye in wrapping paper may also cause toxic gasses to be released when burned.

Trees, wreaths, garlands, and other greenery made of real pine, spruce, or other firs should also never be burned. Because this wood has not been seasoned, it is not suitable for use as firewood. Likewise, many greenery products are treated with flame retardant chemicals that leave the wood unsuitable for burning.

Fire prevention 

There are a number of common sense steps that homeowners can take to greatly reduce their risk of accidental fires during the holiday season. First, keep a minimum three foot clearance around the fireplace, including trees, garlands, stocking, gifts, and other décor. If a real tree is being used instead of an artificial tree, make sure the tree remains well watered throughout the holiday season as dry trees ignite quickly. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors should also be checked to ensure they are working properly.

Having your chimney swept and inspected before the season begins is another way to ensure your family is safe throughout the holidays. Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan with any questions you may have about fireplace safety or to schedule a chimney sweep and inspection.