Chimney liners and relining
The liner keeps heat, smoke and exhaust inside the chimney. Here's when it needs repair or replacement.
Most older masonry chimneys are lined with clay tile. Over time, tiles crack from heat, chimney fires or moisture, joints open up, and some old chimneys were never lined at all. A cracked or missing liner can let heat reach wood framing and let exhaust leak into the house.
When does a chimney need relining?
- The inspection camera shows cracked, shifted or missing tiles
- A chimney fire has damaged the flue
- A new furnace, boiler or water heater needs a flue sized for it
- A wood stove or fireplace insert is being installed
- The flue is too large for the appliance, causing poor draft or condensation
Liner types
- Stainless steel. The most common choice for relining, for wood, gas and oil.
- Cast-in-place. A cement mixture poured around a form inside the flue.
- New clay tile. Usually only practical when the chimney is being rebuilt.
CSIA notes that liners serving solid-fuel appliances like wood stoves need to be insulated. Gas and oil liners may not require it, though insulation can still improve performance.
Permits for appliance changes
Changing a furnace, adding a stove or installing an insert typically involves a permit. In Rochester, permitted work is reviewed and inspected by the city's Building Safety Department. In the parts of Olmsted County where the county does building inspections, its Planning Department's Inspections Division takes applications for factory-built fireplaces and stoves. Ask your contractor what your job needs.
The chimney company prices the job after looking at the chimney, usually from the roof and down the flue with a light or camera. We don't quote prices, and any figure you hear over the phone before an inspection is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Do I need a new liner when I replace my furnace?
Sometimes. A high-efficiency furnace may vent out the wall instead, leaving a water heater alone in a flue that's now too big. Ask the installer and a chimney company to check.
How long does relining take?
A stainless liner in an accessible chimney is often a one-day job. Rebuilds and cast-in-place liners take longer.
Related services
- Chimney inspection and sweeping
- Tuckpointing and masonry repair
- Chimney crowns and caps
- Chimney leak repair
More background: Rochester chimney guide.
Crumbling mortar, a stained ceiling or a stove due for a sweep?
Call now and a local chimney company will take a look and quote the work.