Need Chimney Relining & Liner Repair Near You in Grand Junction? Stove Depot Can Help

What Does a Chimney Liner Do?

Your chimney liner is the protective layer that lines the inside of your chimney flue, keeping gases, heat, and smoke from breaking down your chimney’s interior. They are made of clay tiles, metal, or a flexible stainless steel material. The functions of a chimney liner can be narrowed down to three main roles:

1. Chimney liners protect your home from heat and fires.They offer a heat-resistant barrier that prevents the high temps from your fires from reaching surrounding woodwork. Liners also ensure that combustion byproducts, like carbon monoxide, don’t enter your home.
2. Chimney liners prevent damage to the chimney structure.Liners shield the chimney’s masonry from corrosive gases, acids, moisture, and creosote. This protects the bricks and mortar from cracking, crumbling, or eroding over time.
3. Chimney liners improve draft and appliance performance.A properly sized and installed liner improves the flow of smoke and gases out of your home, helping your fireplace or stove burn cleaner and more efficiently.

Think of it like your thermos for morning coffee. If you have a cheap plastic to-go container, you have to be careful not to burn your hands – the outside walls of the cup will get too hot. Similarly, if you would use a cheap, plastic cup, the sides might even melt. But an insulated thermos does it all – keeps the coffee contained, while allowing you to comfortably drink it without burning your fingers. 

Your liner works the same – holds in the high temperatures from your fireplace or stove while shielding its surroundings from heat damage.

Why Do Experts Recommend Stainless Steel Chimney Liners?

Chimney liners can be made from various materials, and liners of the past were typically constructed from clay tiles. Nowadays, most sweeps recommend investing in a new stainless steel liner. Among the various types of liners, these tend to offer the most long-term benefits.

Why are stainless steel liners the best?

• They’re durable and corrosion-resistant.Stainless steel liners better resist rust, corrosion, and chemical damage from flue gases and moisture. Unlike clay tile liners, which can crack, or aluminum, which tends to corrode faster, stainless steel liners maintain structural integrity even in harsh conditions.
• They ensure safer operation.Stainless steel liners create a smooth, heat-resistant passage for smoke, gases, and byproducts to safely exit your home, rather than enter through cracks and gaps. Stainless steel liners also help prevent chimney fires by containing heat and combustible creosote buildup.
• They ensure efficiency and quality results.The smooth interior surface of stainless steel liners promotes better draft and airflow, improving fireplace or stove efficiency. This means your heating appliance burns cleaner and uses fuel more effectively, reducing waste and emissions.
• They’re compatible with most fuels and appliances. Stainless steel liners are suitable for all types of fuel, including wood, gas, oil, and pellet appliances. They can be used to reline old chimneys that have damaged or deteriorated liners, extending the chimney’s usable life.
• They’re versatile and easy to install. They are flexible or rigid, allowing installation in a wide variety of chimney shapes and sizes. And because they resist corrosion and cracking, stainless steel liners require less frequent repair or replacement.

Can I Use an Unlined Chimney? Why Is This Dangerous?

If you have a chimney in an older home, or if your current chimney’s liner is degrading or deteriorating, you may be wondering if using your fireplace is still possible. After all, brickwork is durable right – is it that big of a deal to use a chimney that’s not lined?

Easy answer – you shouldn’t use a chimney if it isn’t lined.It’s unsafe, illegal in many areas, and strongly discouraged by building codes, fireplace manufacturers, and chimney safety experts (like us). An unlined chimney poses significant fire, health, and structural risks.

Why is using an unlined chimney dangerous?
 

• It increases the risk of house fires, as heat and flames could break through and reach nearby wooden framing and combustible materials inside your walls or attic.
• Chimney fires are more likely to occur when creosote and sparks have direct access to the masonry and buildup within the cracks.
• Carbon monoxide and toxic gas exposure is more likely, as these gases can seep through unprotected brick and mortar joints and into your living space.
• Flue gases contain moisture and corrosive chemicals that deteriorate brick and mortar that isn’t protected with a liner.

For Chimney Relining Near Grand Junction, Reach Out

Don’t wait for a damaged chimney liner to cause costly or dangerous problems. The professionals at Stove Depot are ready to assess your chimney, recommend the right relining solution, and complete the job with care and precision.

If you’re in Grand Junction or somewhere nearby, contact us today – we’re proud to provide trusted, local chimney and fireplace services you can count on.