Nobody expects you to be an expert on your chimney and all of the different materials and components that it uses in order to safely and effectively vent smoke and combustion gases out of your home. If you were an expert, after all, it wouldn’t exactly be great for our business! That being said, we do believe that it is in every homeowner’s best interest to have a basic idea of how their chimney works (provided that they’re using a fireplace, of course).
There is more to the chimney than may meet the eye—literally! Take the lining within your chimney, for instance. If there is an issue with crumbling masonry on your chimney, then it will probably be pretty easy to spot. This is not really the case with your chimney liner, though, which is held within your chimney itself. So today, we are going to talk about your chimney liner in Minneapolis—what it is, what it does, and what problems it could potentially run into along the way.
What Is a Chimney Liner?
A chimney liner is, well, a product that lines your chimney. The chimney liner is of course made of non-combustible materials, with the most common being stainless steel or clay. The purpose of the liner is to allow combustion gases and smoke to escape your chimney without the risk damage to that chimney or for fires to occur.
Why Is a Liner Necessary?
Using a liner made of stainless steel or clay provides extra protection for both your safety and for your chimney itself. The intense heat that comes with combusting wood in your fireplace can actually damage a chimney if a proper liner is not in place. Remember, the air outside that chimney is likely going to be quite cold when you are using your fireplace. That difference in temperature can cause trouble for masonry, and the interior heat itself can lead to cracks in traditional liners.
When to Reline the Chimney
Your chimney liner is not going to last forever, unfortunately. You should be having your chimney cleaned and swept out each year. During that important maintenance service, your chimney technician will assess the condition of your chimney liner and he or she will discuss any issues with you. This could be the warping of your liner, cracks, etc.
Choosing your chimney liner is a big decision to make, and it is not one that you can rush through. Be sure to work with a member of our team to ensure that your new chimney liner is of the right make for your particular needs.
Once we’ve worked with you to determine which type of chimney liner is best for your situation, we’ll complete the job of installing that chimney liner with the utmost care. We’ll make sure that it is sized accurately and put into place properly every step of the way. Then you can use your fireplace safely and reliably.