Our Company Blog

Does Your Chimney Need Relining?

What is one of the reasons the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend having your chimney professionally inspected every year? Its to check the condition of one of its most important components – the liner. According to the CSIA, you need a good quality chimney liner to protect the combustible parts of your home from the extreme heat that transfers through the flue. In addition, keep the masonry materials from being exposed to corrosive gases.

A chimney liner also provides a correctly sized flue to match your heating appliance. This is so that it will function safely and efficiently. Over time, your liner can suffer from cracking, spalling, and other types of damage that can create gaps and voids. This can lead to hazardous situations, which include carbon monoxide leaks. Atlas Chimney provides professional chimney relining services to the residents of the Austin area. So, now we would like to tell you more about the options we have to restore the integrity of this essential chimney component.

HEATSHIELD

Do you have an older masonry chimney with a traditional fireplace? If so, you most likely have a clay tile liner inside the flue. This type of chimney liner is strong and durable, but the tiles can crack and break apart after years of usage. Repairing this type of liner used to be pricey and time consuming. That is, until a few decades ago, when HeatShield was introduced to the chimney industry.

This revolutionary product is a cerfractory sealant material that we have been trained and certified to apply. We apply it to the inside of your chimney with specialized tools that can restore the condition of your clay tile liner. With HeatShield, we can repair damaged joints and fill in any gaps and voids. We can also reline the entire chimney with its CeCure Sleeve Relining System. Atlas will inspect the condition of your existing clay tile liner. Afterwards, we will be able to recommend which HeatShield system is the best one for your chimney.

OLYMPIA STAINLESS STEEL CHIMNEY LINERS

Considering updating your traditional fireplace into a more energy efficient heating appliance by installing a new gas fireplace insert? To be sure this insert works at its highest efficiency, Atlas Chimney recommends also installing a new stainless steel chimney liner along with the appliance. Most masonry chimneys are much larger than fireplace inserts. This size difference can result in safety and efficiency problems. This type of liner works with all fuel types of hearth appliances. We are proud to sell and install Olympia stainless steel liners. This brand is our favorite because of its durability and strength. Your chimney will be protected for many years after we install an Olympia liner.

Is it time to reline your chimney? Contact us at Atlas Chimney today to schedule an appointment for your annual chimney inspection. Our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps will check the condition of your liner. If we find any damage, we can make recommendations for the type of relining service you need!

Why Chimney Relining Is So Important

One of the most essential components of your chimney system is it’s liner. It needs to be in good condition so that your fireplace and chimney work safely and efficiently. Although most chimney liners are built to last for years, damage can occur over time. Cracks, gaps, and corrosion to the liner can allow toxic combustion gases like carbon monoxide to enter your living space. Since the liner is located inside your chimney, it can be difficult to know its condition.

In order to determine what kind of shape your liner is in, you need to have your chimney inspected by experienced professionals. Atlas Chimney is proud to provide comprehensive chimney services. These services include both professional inspections and relining services to the residents of the Austin area. We offer different chimney relining options like HeatShield repair and restoration and stainless steel liner installations. After we inspect your chimney, we can recommend the best way to reline your chimney to ensure your system functions effectively and safely. Because safety is our top priority, we would like to tell you exactly why chimney relining is so important.

Your chimney liner protects your home from the risk of an accidental fire.

One of the functions of a chimney liner is to protect the wood around your chimney. It shields it from the extremely high temperatures that are produced by your fireplace. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the National Bureau of Standards tested the safety of masonry chimneys. Their findings? Unlined chimneys were extremely dangerous, because heat moved so quickly through the chimneys that any adjacent wooden parts caught fire. Sometimes in as little as three and a half hours! Your chimney liner keeps the combustible parts of your home safe from this heat transfer.

Your chimney liner protects the bricks and mortar of your chimney from corrosion damage.

Some of the byproducts of combustion are toxic and corrosive. When they are able to seep directly into the masonry materials of a chimney, erosion occurs. Without the protection of a liner, combustion gases will eat away at the bricks and mortar of your chimney. This can lead to a hazardous situation as the cracks and gaps created by the erosion can allow poisonous combustion gases like carbon monoxide to leak into your home.

Your chimney liner provides a properly sized flue for your specific heating appliance.

A popular option to increase the heating efficiency of your home? Install a wood-burning or gas fireplace insert into the existing opening of your older masonry fireplace. However, masonry chimneys are typically much larger than these inserts, and this size difference can cause performance and safety issues. To solve this sizing difference, Atlas Chimney can install a new stainless steel liner to provide a flue that correctly matches the size of the new heating appliance.

Make sure your chimney liner is in good condition so that you can enjoy safe, warm, and efficient fires this year. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to schedule an appointment for a chimney inspection before the arrival of winter.