What you need to know about chimney relining

Information may not be reliable

Before you get into the intricacies of what's involved with a chimney relining you need to understand the basics of a chimney. The chimney, the brick part that you see on the exterior of the home, is only the shell of the chimney. That brick or block work is designed to provide insulation to keep heat in the chimney and not let it build up dangerously in the walls of your home. That also increases the heating efficiency of your fireplace or insert. The lining is what protects that insulation from cinders and acts as a kind of creosote filter. At the top is a cap, this prevents cinders from flying out and birds or insects from coming in. The lining and its integrity also controls the air flow quality to and from your fireplace or insert which in turn affects the efficiency of the fire.

Why linings are important even with inserts

A common and disastrous mistake that homeowners make is to misunderstand how inserts are installed. Just because an insert is advertised as being able to slide into a fireplace doesn't mean it won't need a special liner. Chimney relining is often done to change a chimney from an open fire style to handle an insert fireplace. The heat produced by the inserts can be far greater than that from an open fire and the lining is changed to match the fire protection to the need.

Types of linings available

There are three basic types of linings that are used. The most traditional is the clay tile or terracotta shaft style. These are stacked or mortared into place inside the chimney structure. You tend to only see this used on certain types of new construction and in restoration work. More common is the cast-in place type which allows for relining as well as new construction. You will also see metal linings used, most often with inserts.

What's involved with a chimney relining job?

No matter what type of chimney relining material is used for your job, that lining also has to be insulated. The insulation prevents sound travel, allows the heat to remain inside the chimney and prevents heat from building up where your walls abut the chimney sides. This is done to reduce the risk of fire and to prevent heat loss.

What is the average cost of the job?

It is hard to pin point an average cost for any type of chimney job because of the variety of factors that can influence the overall pricing. What you can do is estimate the cost of a full lining and replacement cap, and then deduct for certain differences - such as choosing to put in a metal insert lining instead of staying with a full cast in place lining. Even that really doesn't tell you what will be a close estimate, only your contractor can do that. Once they give you the estimate make sure they have broken it down into materials and hours. Once you have that break down you can compare prices with the industry standard and your local average repair hourly rates to make sure you are getting a fair deal. Don't look for many upfront discounts. Savings in chimney repair comes from preventative maintenance. You have to factor the cost of your chimney relining over the span of at least 10 years to see what it is really saving you in preventing a total rebuild.

Don't waste time, ask a professional what they think

In the great digital age of too much information you can waste more time trying to figure out if you need a chimney relining done than ever before. You can't teach yourself a trade by watching videos online, it takes years of experience to build the skill to properly assess a chimney. Don't increase your risk for fire and heat loss by trying to teach yourself how to recognize if you need a lining, call a professional and have them come inspect the chimney. This service is usually provided as a free estimate or consultation. You can also have a home inspector look at your chimney before you contact a professional for a work estimate. Either way, make sure the eyes examining your chimney are experienced so you don't put your home and family through increased risk for fire and loss.

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