Homeowners should have a professional chimney sweep inspect their chimney each year. If creosote and soot have built up on the inside of the chimney, he will clean it. Both of these materials are flammable and can start a fire. A blocked chimney also prevents sufficient air from reaching the furnace and reduces its efficiency. When it’s not longer possible to clean a chimney thoroughly or the liner has begun to crack then it’s time for Chimney Relining in Carroll County MD. Homeowners may be surprised to learn that their brick chimneys have no liners at all. Adding a liner may be necessary to make it comply with local fire and building codes.
A chimney liner often looks like a large metal pipe. In fact, there are three different types of chimney liners that a chimney sweep might recommend. The first two are steel pipes. One is flexible and one isn’t. The third chimney liner is cast in place. An inflatable bladder is put down the chimney. Concrete is poured around it. When it is set the bladder is pulled out.
Steel chimney liners are the most commonly used. A rigid stainless steel liner can be used when the chimney is straight with a consistent width. This is preferable because the rigid chimney liner can have thicker walls, because it doesn’t have to bend. It has smoother interior walls which create a better draft and are more efficient at preventing creosote and soot buildup. A flexible stainless steel liner is easier to install because it can bend around curves in the chimney. The sweep can even flatten it out to fit through the damper. Because of their ability to snake through snug chimney spots, flexible liners can be installed in one piece.
An adequate chimney liner will help protect homeowners if a chimney fire does start. It may even give firefighters the time they need to contain it to the chimney. Homeowners can Click here to learn more information about chimney liners and how to choose the best one. They should always have an experienced and certified chimney sweep select and insert the chimney liner.
