How can I tell if my chimney has a liner?
There are two options for confirming a diagnosis of damaged chimney liner: 1. See for yourself. From inside the house, open the flue and look up as far as you can. Next, check the chimney from the roof by removing the cap and doing a visual inspection.
What is the labor cost to install a chimney liner?
The labor cost to install a chimney liner is $500 to $4,000, depending on liner type, roof height and pitch, number of connections and flues, and the age and condition of the chimney. Liner Type – Cast-in-place and clay tile liners cost more to install than stainless steel.
How often should I replace my chimney liners?
You should definitely have your chimney liner inspected as part of an overall maintenance plan performed at least once a year. Cleaning is a good idea as well: The products of burning wood, called creosote, can build up in your unlined or improperly lined chimney, and may eventually cause a fire.
Does My Chimney need a flue liner?
Without a liner, these gases can eat away at the masonry materials, and this can lead to life-threatening safety hazards that include heat transfer and carbon monoxide leaks. The third purpose that a chimney liner serves is to provide a properly sized flue for your fireplace, stove, or other hearth heating appliance.
Can you insulate around a chimney liner?
There are several different methods for insulating your liner. You can cover a flexible liner before inserting it by blanket-wrapping it with suitable material. Or by pouring Vermiculite, Perlite or Leca granules into the air gap between the liner and flue after/during installation.
What do you put around a chimney liner?
3:2013:03How to Install a New Chimney Liner Yourself - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is used to hold the insulation in place on your liner. Before you then finally cover it withMoreThis is used to hold the insulation in place on your liner. Before you then finally cover it with this mesh and the mash holds it in place it also protects the insulation from getting torn.
What is a chimney liner insulation?
Chimney liner insulation is designed specifically for metal chimney liners. Liners help prevent creosote build-up by not allowing the flue gasses to cool down too much. Creosote is highly flammable and is the leading cause of chimney fires.
How do you insulate a chimney flue?
Insulating chimneys from the outside: Cover the entire stack of bricks with a layer of rigid insulation (rockwool or expanded polystyrene) and half inch-thick plywood, which can then be covered to match the rest of the house.
How long do chimney liners last?
15 to 20 yearsHow long do chimney liners last? The answer to this question depends on the type of chimney liner you have. Clay tile liners and cast-in-place liners typically last around 50 years. Stainless steel flue liners generally last for 15 to 20 years (though low quality liners may not even last for five).
Do you insulate a chimney chase?
“If the climate in your area is very cold, insulate the chase to the top to keep the chimney warmer, increase the draft, and reduce creosote buildup. We also recommend to insulate the ceiling of the chase just as if it were in the attic space.
What is an advantage of having no insulation around the chimney?
A chimney flue that is not insulated will have a draft that is less efficient due to the colder temperatures. Hot air rises, and as it cools the draft is reduced. Insulating an oil or gas flue liner will lessen the amount of corrosive condensation by keeping the gases warmer, giving it a better draft.
Why is chimney pipe insulated?
In a small space, insulated flue reduces the distance that you need between the flue and combustibles. It also prevents anyone from accidentally touching the hot flue when moving around.
How do you wrap a chimney liner?
2:225:52How to Install a Flexible Chimney Liner Kit with Blanket InsulationYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith both hands slowly pull the mesh over the insulated liner and then use another clamp to secureMoreWith both hands slowly pull the mesh over the insulated liner and then use another clamp to secure the mesh to the other end of the liner. Before you lower the liner down the chimney.
How do you insulate a flexible chimney liner?
1:585:52How to Install a Flexible Chimney Liner Kit with Blanket InsulationYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing both hands wrap the insulation blanket tightly around the liner. Being sure to overlap theMoreUsing both hands wrap the insulation blanket tightly around the liner. Being sure to overlap the seam by about one inch then secure the insulation. Across with six inch strips of the HVAC tape.
How do you sleeve a chimney?
1:065:04How to Install a Chimney Liner and Damper | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBased on our fireplace opening inside the home we're required to install. A 10 inch diameter linerMoreBased on our fireplace opening inside the home we're required to install. A 10 inch diameter liner okay normally we would install a round liner in this situation a round liner wouldn't fit.
Can you use insulation around a fireplace?
A fireplace insert is generally more energy efficient than a traditional fireplace, but still requires insulation. Insulation should be tucked around all sides of the firebox and the flue.
How do you install a round chimney cap?
Drill pilot holes into the crown through the holes on the cap. Remove the cap and run a bead of caulk around the crown's edges. Set the chimney cap in place again over the caulk. Place the installation screws in the pilot holes and tighten them with a screwdriver.
How to reduce creosote buildup?
Creosote mostly develops when burning wood in cold chimneys, so one of the best ways to reduce the buildup of creosote is by installing your liner with insulation. Insulation will keep flue gases warmer, minimizing condensation and creosote build up, while providing greater draft performance.
What insulation is needed for UL1777?
Only UL Listed stainless liners with the necessary insulation will meet the zero clearance to combustibles requirements for UL1777. There are two types of insulation available to provide this safety for your home. The first is the blanket wrap. It is available in a 1/4" or 1/2" thickness; UL1777 requires a 1/2" total thickness. This insulation is wrapped around the liner before installing the liner into the flue, and will add approximately 1.5" to the overall dimensions of the liner. This is important to keep in mind when installing liners into smaller flues. The second is a vermiculite and concrete insulation mixture, which is combined with water and poured down between the liner and flue walls. Some prefer this method, and this option works well when trying to insulate a liner in a tight fitting flue.
Why is it important to have an insulated chimney?
Having an insulated chimney plays an important role in any chimney construction or modification. When installing a new liner for your heating appliance — whether it is a furnace, hot water heater, wood-burning insert or stove, or existing fireplace — consider insulating the liner. Chimney liner insulation offers many benefits in terms ...
Why do you need a chimney liner?
A well maintained and insulated chimney liner can also prevent extreme heat from a chimney fire from spreading through your chimney's masonry structure and possibly into your house or attic where it could ignite combustible materials. This corroded flue needs a liner and insulation.
How thick is UL1777 insulation?
It is available in a 1/4" or 1/2" thickness; UL1777 requires a 1/2" total thickness. This insulation is wrapped around the liner before installing the liner into the flue, and will add approximately 1.5" to the overall dimensions of the liner. This is important to keep in mind when installing liners into smaller flues.
Can you put a chimney liner inside a flue?
Installing a Chimney Liner + Insulation. If your chimney flue is not insulated, whether you are venting a furnace or wood burning appliance, the easiest and most economical solution is to install an insulated stain less steel chimney liner inside your existing flue.
Do chimneys need insulation?
Inside chimneys may only need insulation in the area that extends above the top of the roof, or inside an uninsulated attic, since the remainder of the flue is surrounded by an insulated house. Wood burning applications are where the greatest returns can be found.
How long does it take for vermiculite insulation to harden?
Once the vermiculite insulation is mixed, the insulation is poured around the stainless steel chimney liner. The vermiculite insulation will harden after a week and will provide a zero clearance, U.L. listed insulation.
What is the best insulation for a chimney liner?
There are two main types of chimney liner insulation. The most user-friendly chimney liner insulation is the insulation blanket. The blanket is made of a high density insulation material know as alkaline earth silicate. The blanket will get wrapped around the chimney liner the entire length.
Why insulate a stainless steel chimney?
It is always a good idea to insulate a stainless steel chimney liner. The insulation will enable the flue to heat up more quickly and to a higher temperature. This helps reduce the risk of having an inadequate draft. In addition, while the flue gasses stay hot, less creosote will form and less fuel will be wasted.
Can you use fiberglass insulation on a chimney?
Do not use standard fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass insulation is not rated for very high temperatures. If you have a tight flue and are unable to use the blanket insulation, the vermiculite chimney insulation mix is your next option. The vermiculite chimney liner insulation is made of vermiculite and Portland cement.
How to insulate flexi liner?
One can insulate a flexi liner by blanket-wrapping it with a suitable material before inserting it (Chimwrap etc.) or by pouring Vermiculite, Perlite or Leca granules into the gap between the liner and flue after fitting.
Do chimney liners keep the flue gases warmer?
If the chimney is exposed (on an outside wall), or the stack is particularly tall, or the flue is of a large diameter then the answer to the proposed question above is a probable yes. Insulated liners keep the flue gases warmer, increase the upward speed of those gases and help prevent condensation forming on the liner.
Is it necessary to insulate a chimney?
Otherwise it is not necessary, especially if the majority of the chimney is internal within the building. The air between the liner and the chimney wall will insulate the liner (air is a good insulator) although the liner obviously touches a cold wall in many places.
What is a Chimney and what does it do?
A chimney is a structure that connects the flue or smoke chamber of an appliance to open air and it allows for proper ventilation while preventing reverse flow. Basically, what this means is that warm heated gases need somewhere to escape your home and venting them out through your chimney will help prevent back drafts from coming into your house.
Types of Insulation
There are different types of insulation that can be used to insulate a chimney. The most common type is fiberglass, but there are also other options available, such as cellulose and rock wool.
How to install Insulation in your Chimney?
The first step is to identify the parts of your chimney. The part of the chimney that you will be installing insulation in is called the flue. It is important to make sure that the insulation you are using is rated for use with flues. You can find this information on the product’s packaging or on the manufacturer’s website.
Common misconceptions about installing Insulation in your Chimney
People often believe that insulation is only necessary when the home has no walls to insulate.
Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA recommends that you insulate your chimney if it is not already insulated. The most common way to do this is to install a chimney cap. A chimney cap will keep the heat in and the cold out, which will help to keep your chimney warm and prevent drafts from coming into your home.
Safety Tips
First and foremost, you should always wear all the safety gear when working with insulation. This includes gloves, eye protection (safety glasses), ear protection (ear muffs or plugs), a dust mask if necessary, long sleeves/trousers that cover skin, closed-toed shoes or boots for increased foot safety in case of falling objects.
FAQs
To reduce heat loss and maximize efficiency. Improved insulation will allow your heating appliance’s combustion process to run more efficiently, which in turn will minimize the amount of fuel necessary for optimum furnace performance. By keeping home air conditioned properly in summer months it can also help lower cooling costs.
What is the best chimney liner?
A. Stainless will always be the best option when it comes to performance, durability, safety and cost.#N#A stainless steel chimney liner that is properly sized, for the stove, furnace, or fireplace will maintain or improve the venting performance (draft). If going to a Smooth Wall liner, it will additionally improve your draft by up to 20% for gas and up to 15% for oil burning appliances.#N#Our stainless chimney liners are primarily used to upgrade and repair existing chimneys. These liner systems are U.L. tested and listed, and if properly installed and maintained are extremely safe and durable. Stainless steel is suitable for wood burning, gas, or oil applications. The liner protects the house from heat transfer to combustibles while being installed in a masonry chimney. In the NBS tests, unlined chimneys allowed heat to move through the chimney so rapidly that the adjacent woodwork caught fire in only 3 1/2 hours.
How thick is insulation for a flue?
Having 1/2" thick insulation will maintain your liner to the UL1777 standard. Q.
Where to measure stainless steel liner?
This will depend on what you are connecting. A stainless liner going through a thimble hole, will be measured from the center of the hole to the top of the chimney. A liner going to an insert or stove in the fireplace will be measured from the top of the chimney to the top of the insert or stove or the center of the hole on the back of the stove.
Is stainless steel chimney liner corrosion resistant?
An affordable alternative to repairing or rebuilding the chimney and much easier to clean. Lifetime Warranty because the stainless steel liner is a corrosion resistant liner you can expect the liner to last a lifetime, virtually maintenance free. Q.
Do you need a tee connector for a chimney?
Not all installations require a Tee Connector, but if yours does, it doesn't get any easier than this. When a Tee is needed and the masonry chimney has little or no offsets, connect the Tee Body to the bottom of the liner with the attached clamp, the Tee Cap should be attached to the bottom of Tee Body.
Can you use a round flue liner on a fireplace?
A. Probably not, most everything can be installed with a Round liner, with the exception of some liners for fireplaces. Larger is not necessarily better when it comes to your flue liner. Too large will give you a slow draft and poor performance, and too small will restrict the draft.
Is stainless steel a good liner for a chimney?
tested and listed, and if properly installed and maintained are extremely safe and durable. Stainless steel is suitable for wood burning, gas, or oil applications. The liner protects the house from heat transfer to combustibles while being installed in a masonry chimney.
How to keep insulation in place while wrapping?
We recommend using small pieces of the aluminum tape to hold the insulation in place while you wrap the liner. Once you have the liner wrapped apply the aluminum tape to the entire length of the insulation seam. Be gentle while pulling the insulation around the liner to prevent it from tearing.
Why insulate a chimney?
Insulating your chimney liner enables the flue to heat up faster and to a higher temperature. Not only will this increase the draft of your chimney, less fuel will be wasted and less creosote will build up inside your chimney.
Why pull mesh?
Pulling the mesh is going to allow it to stay in place better. Once the mesh is pulled tight cut the mesh to length. If you follow the steps that we have provide you will be able to install your liner insulation like a pro.
What is stainless steel chimney liner?
Stainless steel chimney liners are extremely durable and perfect for wood-burning fireplaces and gas furnaces and water heater appliances. People often get a steel liner to upgrade from their old clay or ceramic one. Steel chimney liners will keep your chimney walls safe and protected for many years to come.
What type of chimney liner is used in Chicago?
Living in Chicago, you know that the weather is anything but predictable. Another type of chimney liner is the aluminum liner. Aluminum liners are very durable but are only suitable for gas furnaces and water heaters, not fireplaces. They retain the heat well and keep your chimney walls protected from condensation.
Why is a chimney liner important?
A chimney liner might not seem like an important part of your chimney, but in reality, it’s extremely important and improves the safety of your fireplace and home. Additionally, a chimney liner is required to be present to pass inspection for property transfer. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about chimney liners ...
Why use clay chimney liners?
These are often used when a home is first built because they’re inexpensive and work well with a properly maintained, or brand new, open fireplace chimney. However, clay chimney liners are not the most durable and can crack and erode under extreme weather changes and conditions.
How do you know if you need a chimney liner?
One of the most common signs that you need a chimney liner is when you notice that your chimney walls are deteriorating at a faster than normal pace. When your liner is not in proper working condition, the heat or condensation will damage your brick and mortar at a higher rate.
What are the benefits of a chimney liner?
Chimney Liner Benefits. Obviously, the biggest benefit of having a chimney liner is that it increases the safety of your fireplace, appliances, home and family. This is where you might be thinking, “I’ve had a fireplace for years without a liner and nothing bad has happened.”. Yet.
Does a chimney liner keep carbon monoxide out?
A properly installed chimney liner that’s in good condition will be able to keep it out. Also, if your chimney doesn’t have a liner, that increases the chances of your flue getting cold.
