Relining of the chimney flue is the most practical and affordable way to repair a deteriorated or damaged chimney lining.
Reasons you may need a chimney liner:
To repair damage to the chimney liner caused by a chimney fire, water damage, or simple settling of the home.
To upgrade older chimneys which were constructed without chimney liners. This is incredibly important for the safety and enjoyment of your system.
To replace worn, deteriorated liners that may allow smoke, creosote or condensation to seep through the chimney walls.
To properly size the chimney for a new appliance (for example: converting from oil to gas heat).
Proper sizing–chimneys often need to be resized to perform properly. If an over-sized fireplace flue is used to vent a wood stove, excessive creosote and tar glaze may result. Additionally, the wood stove will not perform as well as it should if the flue is too big or too small.
The chimney lineris a critical part of your chimney system. The byproducts of oil, gas, and wood burning appliances can easily deteriorate a chimney. Your chimney’s flue needs to be able to carry heat and gases safely up, out, and away from the chimney. A stainless steel chimney liner fits inside the chimney flue and provides a strong, durable lining in the chimney and can act as a barrier against gases, moisture and masonry damage. Stainless steel flue liners resist corrosion, rusting and staining, and come with a Lifetime Warranty which has aided in their popularity. They are available in rigid and flexible forms and as well as varying grades and material thicknesses.
The National Fire Protection Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) have both advised that a chimney be relined as soon as any cracks, gaps, or other damage to the flue liner is detected. Building and fire codes also state that chimneys should be completely sealed for maximum safety. When your clay chimney liner flakes or cracks, it can allow poisonous gases like carbon monoxide into your home. It may also allow smoke or embers to escape your chimney and move into the ceilings and attic space of your home.
Repointing
Repointing is needed when the mortar joints in the masonry are disintegrating or cracked. Loose and cracked mortar joints are ground out and re-filled with fresh mortar. Water damage and/or settling are typically to blame for this cracking and crumbling. We always recommend waterproofing the newly repointed joints.
Crown Repairs & Crown Coat
Your chimney crown is the very top of your chimney. It is exposed to rain and freezing elements which will cause deterioration over time. Water damaged or cracked chimney crowns can lead to costly repairs if not addressed in a timely manner. If the mortar crown on your chimney is loose, crumbling, or severely deteriorated, have it professionally repaired as soon as possible! If there is significant damage to the crown it may need to be replaced. If there is less damage it may be possible to seal the existing crown. Replacing the crown consists of removing the entire existing crown and creating a new crown with freshly poured concrete or mortar. If damage to the chimney crown is minimal, it may be possible to address the problem by using a product called CrownCoat. It is specifically designed to fill any minor gaps or cracks in the chimney crown and restore a waterproof barrier.
Waterproofing
Water damage can have a powerful negative effect on a masonry chimney. If water damage is not prevented it can lead to more costly masonry repairs.
External chimney water damage caused by water freezing and thawing against your chimney structure. As water expands when freezing, tiny ice crystals begin cracking the mortar and bricks. The more water penetration the faster the deterioration. Bricks may start to flake and mortar joints become weakened.
Waterproofing your chimney is a great way to prevent further water damage and protect the existing structure of your chimney. It is done by applying a product called ChimneySaver to the exterior of your chimney. This product reseals the brick and keeps water from entering the surface of bricks and mortar and allowing ice crystals to weaken their structure.