Though you may assume that your chimney consists of a brick tube, it’s actually a bit more complex. Most chimneys have flue tiles inside, which have smooth surfaces inside. When these tiles begin to have issues, whether due to age, damage, or a chimney fire, they can cause more problems if not properly handled. Chimney relining for your New Braunfels home is one option available.
Is it Time to Reline Your Chimney?
A chimney liner is the interior part of your chimney. It provides three important functions that are vital to a safe, well-functioning chimney. These include efficient function, ensuring that smoke, fumes, ash, and similar material can exit your home safely and effectively, but require proper sizing, fitting, and installation.
A chimney liner also keeps your masonry in great shape. Fires can produce acidic fumes and deposits that can damage and break down your chimney’s brick and mortar, increasing the risk of gas leaks and fire hazards as well as overall fireplace inefficiency.
Finally, your chimney liner provides protection to your home. When your masonry begins to crumble, it reduces or eliminated the barrier between your chimney’s heat and smoke and the rest of your home, leading to a suffocation or fire risk. A chimney liner can eliminate these risks.
Cast-in-place and clay tile chimney liners will usually last for around 50 years, while stainless steel liners can last for around 15-20 years when properly sized, fitted, and installed. Clay is the best option for a new chimney, but is difficult to replace. A cast-in-place liner can be added to a chimney with a failing clay liner, using a specific material designed for chimney lining.
If you notice damage or deterioration to the clay tiles or your metal chimney liner is corroding, it’s important to have the chimney relined before using your fireplace, and should be done regardless to prevent additional damage from happening. This protects your chimney from additional damage from a failing liner.
Your chimney’s interior is vital to keeping smoke moving smoothly and reducing the chances of a chimney fire. If you have concerns about your chimney and are considering repairs or relining, the experienced team at Wolfman Chimney & Fireplace in New Braunfels offers chimney relining, replacement and repair services. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly team for a consultation.
Reach us online, send us a text, or call us at 830-620-4335 today!