The liner can be slid up or down the chimney a little at any stage in the stove fitting process to aid fitting the stove.
It does not matter what type of fuel you use, an unlined chimney is extremely dangerous. It's very important to call our team of experts to check things out before you light the first fire this winter.
Consequences of not lining your chimney
If the chimney is not sound then smoke and carbon monoxide can travel into your (or next door's) property.
There are two main ways to install a flexible flue liner - either from the top or from the bottom. Both require at least two people to do the job. Be sure both of you have the correct safety equipment, including masks, goggles and a hard hat before starting.
The ideal flue pipe assembly is one that rises straight up from the appliance flue collar and directly into the chimney with no elbows.
Typically, to open the damper, push up or lift the rod all the way. Pull it down to close the damper. Another type of damper is a screw-type or rotary control damper. Typically, you will close the damper by turning it counterclockwise all the way, which causes the rod to hang down low.
A balanced flue pipe can only work with a balanced flue fire - it cannot be used with a traditional or flueless gas fire. Similarly, if you have a balanced flue fire, you can't use it with a traditional chimney.
The liner can be slid up or down the chimney a little at any stage in the stove fitting process to aid fitting the stove.
Historically, it was always stated liners could only be joined by the manufacturer to order, particularly when the required length was greater than the standard coil. However, today some liner manufacturers and stockists offer jointing pieces for the purpose.
The average cost to have a chimney lined by a professional is going to be about $2500. Depending on the type of chimney liner, it could cost up to $10,000. The average DIY chimney liner installation is going to cost about $750 to $3000 for the material depending on the specifics of the installation.
No matter how old your chimney may be, it needs to be lined to meet modern building safety codes and standards.
Chimneys and fireplaces were typical in house buildings before the 1900s because the fire was the primary method to heat homes. Once alternative fuels came into vogue, such as gas and electricity, people no longer relied on their fireplaces and either left them as-is for decoration or sealed them up.
Like the majority of chimney and fireplace tasks, chimney liner installation should be performed by seasoned professionals who are licensed, insured and certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the country's most respected certifying body for hearth-industry professionals.
Today, however, many building codes require a chimney liner. In fact, the 2020 Mechanical Code of New York State, Section 801.16, states that “masonry chimneys shall be lined.” The regulation further stipulates that the chimney liner must be compatible with the connected appliance per the manufacturer's instructions.
There are many ways an unlined stove can be swept… Up until fairly recently, most chimneys were not fitted with a liner. For open fires, that wasn't a problem as they were still fairly easy to sweep. You'd clean the chimney and soot would fall into the fireplace.
Many factors contribute to a chimney liner's lifespan, including the material it's made of, your fireplace usage habits, and the environment. The average lifespan of a chimney liner is 15-20 years, and once your liner reaches that point, it's due for replacing.
Yes indeed, you can easily install your stove and flue liner system yourself. If you are capable of doing the job yourself, and have experience in building and DIY, then you do not necessarily need to hire a specialist installer.
Local codes and the International Fuel Gas Code require proper venting and chimney liners for flue gasses to be vented into the outdoor atmosphere. Wood and coal burning fuels must be vented in a separate chimney liner and not to be vented with Natural Gas, Propane or Oil burning fuels in a single chimney liner.
It is very important that you ensure that all such toxic gases are safely routed out of your home. In the absence of a chimney liner, these gases have a high chance of leaking back indoors and causing severe health problems in the inhabitants of the household. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
The normal process to repair a flue that leaks is to install a suitable liner within the existing flue. The type and size of liner used will depend on the open fire or appliance the flue is serving.
Regardless of what type of chimney you have, or even if it's lined, it will still need regular sweeping.
The termination of the flue liner should not extend above the cap by more that 4 inches. Typically the flue is terminated flush with the cap. The finished height of a chimney needs to be 3 feet above the highest point of the structure or 2 feet above any part of the structure within 10 feet of the chimney.
Open the Damper Completely
Check the chimney dampers to make sure they are wide open to allow maximum airflow through the chimney. This will increase the airflow to the fire. The dampers are usually closed during a fire to prevent warm air from escaping the house.
Putting a Damper on Your Energy Bills
What's more, between 80 and 90 percent of the heat produced by wood burned in an open fireplace is lost up the chimney. This means that for every $100 you spend on firewood, you get only $10 to $20 worth of heat. The rest goes up the chimney.
The entire route from fire to chimney terminal needs to be smooth, straight and vertical wherever possible. Where bends absolutely cannot be avoided, they should be very gentle, a maximum of 2x 45º and the chimney height increased by at least a metre to compensate.