When Should My Chimney Liner Be Replaced?

How to Know If a Chimney Liner Replacement is Needed

If you are wondering how to know if a chimney liner replacement is needed, it may be because that’s what you’ve been told. There are plenty of wanna-be chimney sweep companies and unscrupulous people in the biz because it’s unregulated. So, it’s possible that you are being scammed. If you didn’t vet the company, it’s natural to have doubts about the truth of their statement. Guardian Chimney Sweep is a company that customers trust–throughout the Houston and Conroe, TX, areas. Actually, there are three reasons a chimney liner replacement may be needed. Below, find out why.

Deterioration

Like all chimney components, chimney liners need to be replaced from time to time. Chimney liner replacement, however, is a crucial issue when there is deterioration. If the flue liner is not fully intact, your home and family are endangered when the fireplace is used. There are two life-threatening hazards caused by damaged chimney liners that cannot be ignored, as follows:

The Threat of a House Fire

When a chimney liner has even a tiny crack, combustible parts of the home are exposed to extreme heat. A process called pyrolysis occurs over time. Pyrolysis changes the combustible materials so that they ignite at much lower temperatures. Without any warning, a home can ignite and the fire can spread rapidly.

The Threat of Carbon Monoxide Exposure

A little crack is all it takes for carbon monoxide to leak into the living area of a home. Carbon monoxide is known as the Silent Killer, and it’s for good reason. It is odorless, tasteless, invisible, and symptomless. Therefore, victims of carbon monoxide exposure are unaware of the danger. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 430 people die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning.

A Bad Fit

If you replace a fireplace or heating stove with a new appliance, a chimney liner replacement is likely needed. The manufacturer’s instructions will specify the correct size of the chimney flue that should be fitted to the appliance. If the chimney flue liner is too small or too large, the appliance will work inefficiently. It could cause condensation to build up inside the liner, as well.

A Property Transfer

When a property transfer occurs that involves a chimney, a Level 2 chimney inspection is required. The Level 2 inspection includes a video of the flue from top to bottom. In the sale of a home, if the chimney liner is found to have damage of any kind, a chimney liner replacement is required.

Guardian Chimney Sweep Installs Chimney Liner Replacements

Our certified chimney professionals at Guardian Chimney Sweep LLC are qualified to give Level 1, 2, and 3 chimney inspections. You can confidently know if a chimney liner replacement is needed if you hear it from a chimney sweep at Guardian. We care about our customers, as proven by our satisfaction guarantee. Contact us today for a chimney inspection, chimney liner replacement, chimney repair, masonry repair, flashing repair, chimney crown repair, and more. 

You can reach us via our online contact form or call us at any of the following numbers.

Toll-free: (888) 306-6069
Conroe: (936) 271-9781
Houston: (713) 401-2011