When Does Your Chimney Need Relining?

Jul 24, 2024

Is your once-reliable fireplace struggling to keep you warm? Or are you noticing smoke puffing back into the room instead of venting outside? These could be signs of a failing chimney liner. This layer protects your home from fire and promotes smooth operation, but it can wear down over time. Don’t let a faulty liner make your cozy fireplace a safety hazard!

Signs Your Chimney Needs Relining

Chimney relining replaces the existing liner inside your chimney. The liner is an important component that protects the chimney walls from heat and corrosion. Over time, it can deteriorate, leading to various issues. Here are a few signs to watch out for:

Cracks and Damage

One of the most apparent signs is visible cracks or damage. Cracks can allow dangerous gases, like carbon monoxide, to seep into your home. They can also let moisture in, further damaging the chimney structure. If you notice cracks or any form of damage, it’s time to consider relining. Cracked liner tiles make the chimney unsafe for use.

Deteriorating Mortar Joints

The mortar joints in your chimney can deteriorate over time due to weather conditions and the natural aging process. Damaged mortar joints can lead to gaps and spaces in the chimney structure, compromising its integrity. Regular inspections can help you spot deteriorating mortar joints early and address the issue.

Efflorescence

Efflorescence is the white, powdery substance that appears on the chimney’s exterior. This substance is a sign of moisture in the chimney. If you notice efflorescence, it indicates that water is penetrating the chimney, which can damage the liner and the chimney structure. Relining can help prevent further moisture intrusion and protect your chimney.

Spalling Bricks

Spalling occurs when the bricks of your chimney start to flake and break off. This happens due to moisture entering the bricks and freezing during cold weather, causing the bricks to expand and contract. Spalling clearly indicates that your chimney needs attention, and relining can help protect the bricks from further damage.

The Importance of Timely Relining

Proactive relining helps maintain safety and optimize your fireplace’s performance. Here are the benefits of a timely intervention:

Preventing Chimney Fires

A damaged liner can allow heat to transfer to the combustible materials in your home, increasing the risk of a chimney fire. Relining your chimney makes the liner intact and capable of containing the heat, reducing the fire risk.

Improving Efficiency

A sound liner provides proper airflow, leading to better drafts and improved heating performance from your fireplace or wood stove.

Protecting Your Home

A well-maintained chimney liner protects your home from harmful gases like carbon monoxide. A damaged liner can allow these gases to seep into your living spaces, posing serious health risks. Relining your chimney allows these gases to vent outside, protecting your home and family.

When to Schedule an Inspection

Regular inspections are important for maintaining your chimney. It’s recommended to have your chimney inspected at least once a year, preferably before the start of the heating season. During the inspection, a professional chimney sweep can assess the condition of your liner and determine if relining is necessary.

Does your fireplace seem smoky or inefficient? Don’t wait for a potential fire hazard! Breathe easy with a professional chimney inspection and relining from our sweeps at Chimney Clean Company, Inc. Our certified technicians ensure your fireplace burns safely and efficiently, keeping your home warm and cozy all winter. Contact us today to learn more!

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Smoking back

There are many fireplaces that seem to smoke back into the house no matter what is done. In our experience, the most common cause is that the fireplace simply needs to be cleaned. This is especially likely if the fireplace has gotten worse over time, that is, the smoking back is worse now than it used to be.

Several other possible causes of smoking back are problems with the damper, chimney cap, grate, firewood, or structural problems with the chimney itself. At Chimney Clean Company, we do a full inspection with every cleaning, or we can also do just the inspection if the chimney doesn’t need to be cleaned. This inspection is designed to reveal any causes of smoking back.

Broken chimneys

In the Bay Area, many chimneys were broken in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Usually, these chimneys are broken at or near the roof line, although sometimes they can be broken further down, even at the ground level.

We are fully licensed masonry contractors. We rebuild broken chimneys. If they are broken at the roof line, this usually entails taking the chimney part of the way down brick by brick, installing steel reinforcing bars, getting an inspection from a city inspector, then rebuilding the chimney back up around the steel rebar.

Missing mortar or damaged bricks

Over time, many chimneys develop places that are missing mortar between bricks, or damaged bricks, either inside the firebox or on the outside of the chimney. These areas can usually be repaired, either by replacing the missing mortar or replacing the bricks themselves. Items such as these can be dangerous because they can allow flames, sparks or hot gases to enter the structure of the house.

Water entry

Sometimes the metal that seals the chimney at the roof, called “flashing”, will come loose or develop leaks. In this case, water sometimes comes into the ceiling of the room and causes water spots and stains on the sheet rock. This flashing should be repaired before the water causes more damage.