Watch out for the signs that tell you your chimney needs to be relined. Have it inspected by a certified chimney technician.
Because much of the chimney flue is hidden from sight, it’s not always easy for a homeowner to determine on his/her own whether or not it’s necessary to replace its liner, which is essentially the inner face of the chimney. A chimney liner is designed to protect your chimney from fire and to keep the wrong things out (moisture, which can seep through brick and mortar) and the right things in (toxic gases, which need to be funneled immediately out of your home instead of leaking through your masonry or back into your living space).
While only a certified chimney professional will be able to inspect your chimney liner for wear and tear severe enough to necessitate a complete replacement, there are some ways (listed below) that you can tell that your liner needs attention. Keep in mind that there may be ways to repair your existing liner rather than relining it entirely. An Aelite Chimney professional will conduct a thorough video inspection of your chimney before determining what is the most effective and cost efficient option for you.
Signs Your Chimney May Need to Be Relined
- If you’ve noticed drafting problems—for instance, smoke “backpuffing” into your home. If you suspect that your chimney flue is not properly sized, a new liner may be able to completely resize your flue so that drafting problems are a thing of the past.
- If you’ve had a chimney fire, catastrophic event, or just acquired a property. Major events around the home (fires, tornados, wind damage, earthquakes, falling trees or branches, etc.) should be followed by a chimney inspection. Likewise, if you’ve just purchased a new home it’s recommended to have the chimney inspected immediately to check the condition of the liner.
- If you’ve noticed signs of water damage in or around your chimney. In time water damage just gets worse, and it’s capable of doing significant damage to your chimney and the areas of your home surrounding it. If you see rusty chimney components, smell mildew, hear dripping, or see evidence of leaks in or around your chimney, it’s important to have your chimney looked at.
And of course if your chimney is old and has never been lined you will need to have it lined in order to create an optimally sized flu and to bring your chimney up to code so that it’s able to safely contain the byproducts of the fires you burn. In Illinois, where we burn fires much of the year because of our colder climate, it is especially important to keep your fireplace and/or stove and chimney in top working order.
Aelite Chimney carries Ventinox lining systems, which are made of stainless steel, compatible with a variety of wood, gas, or oil-fired equipment, and able to withstand corrosive materials and high heat.
Read more about Aelite Chimney’s relining services here.