Blog

Chimney liners are a great addition to any fireplace but many people do not understand why they would need one. Are chimney liners necessary for safety and function or simply added for decoration? Are they required by your local building code? Exactly why would you need a chimney liner? Fireside Chimney Supply is here to answer those questions and more. Our experts have outlined a few reasons for you to consider purchasing chimney liners.  

Reasons to Purchase Chimney Liners

Reason 1: Your chimney is unlined.

Just as most houses were built without insulation in the past, most masonry chimneys were built without a liner. The absence of a liner can cause wood exhaust to leak through the mortar joints into your home. That is safety concern indeed. Another safety concern? Your chimney could actually catch fire! That is because in some cases, liquid creosote can eventually dissolve the binder in the mortar and soak into the joints. Without a liner to create a buffer, a fire could occur.

Reason 2: Your chimney is lined, but the liner is in poor condition.

There are many types of durable chimney liners, including those made of rigid and flexible materials. In the case of some masonry chimneys, the liners are made from terracotta clay or pumice, which can crack over time from normal wear and tear. A crack in that type of liner can allow smoke and liquid creosote through, which can ultimately lead to the same risk of chimney fire as described above.

Reason 3: Your chimney is lined, but the liner is not properly sized.

Ill-fitting liners can cause numerous issues. In fact, an oversized liner can lead to everything from smoke spillage to excessive creosote formation and...you guessed it

The good news? Fireplaces are a top selling feature for many new homebuyers. In fact, real estate experts rank them among the top three features requested by homebuyers during their new home search. The bad news? With increasing awareness about energy efficiency, people are identifying fireplaces as a key source of energy consumption and waste, with estimates as high as 8 percent of home draft waste being caused by fireplaces. And, there is nothing that a homeowner wants less to go along with their new mortgage than high energy bills.

However, all is not lost. You can enjoy the benefits of a fireplace, remain energy efficient and save money by using fireplace inserts.

What is a fireplace insert?

Simply put, a fireplace insert is steel or cast-iron box placed into your existing fireplace making it function more like a wood-burning stove. They come in a variety of styles and in many cases a decorative flange hugs the outside edges snugly, securing the insert and ensuring no gaps are present between the unit and sides of the masonry fireplace. Also, the inserts have clear or in some instances frosted heat-proof glass doors. The size of your insert will depend on the size of your room where it will be used.

Why do I need one?

Fireplace inserts come in handy for many reasons, but perhaps the most important one is energy efficiency. Inserts are useful because most heat of the generated by an open fire goes up in smoke, literally, right up the chimney. As you can imagine, this is immensely inefficient and can cause an increase in home energy costs over time.

How much energy can I save using an insert?

On the lower end, you can cut 10% of your heating

The outside of the home gets so much love in the summer. Homeowners eager to enjoy the outdoors plant gardens, spruce up their home’s curb appeal and even update exterior trim or siding. As temperatures soar, this winter seems so far away. But, let’s face it. When people think about chimneys and fireplaces they think about winter. With last year’s record breaking freezing temperatures and snowfall still fresh in some people’s mind, most of us want to enjoy our hot and humid days as long as possible. But like the rest of the exterior of your home, your chimney could use a decorative update this summer. There are some creative ways to spruce up your chimney during the warm summer months. We have several options to help you adorn your fireplace and chimney.

Chimney pots are a neat way to transform the look of your chimney. If you are unfamiliar them, then you might be asking yourself  “What are chimney pots?” Chimney pots are decorative pots that sit atop a chimney, enhancing the look of one of your home’s most prominent features. While most chimney pots are round, they do come in a variety of shapes and sizes that fit nicely with the style of any home. Whether your home is the classic Spanish style home or a mid-century modern style, there is a perfect chimney pot design for your home.

It is true that most people choose chimney pots primarily to update the look of their chimney. However, these pots have a functional value as well. Chimney pots help improve fireplace drafts due to their tapered designs. Fireplace drafts happen, naturally, when you turn on your fireplace. That

When you’re attempting to fix any problem, it helps to know a little bit about how the system you’re troubleshooting works. In terms of fixing a chimney, there are several confusing terms, some more technical than others. However, if there’s one thing you need to know about chimneys, it’s that even the simplest chimney draft problems can create an unhealthy and unforgiving living environment.

While a majority of homes today have gas fireplaces, some still require the old fashioned chimney liner kit. For those homeowners who have a legitimate wood burning fireplace, keeping it clean is crucial for prevent fires or any toxic fumes from entering the home. When you look at the construction of a chimney, the liner may not seem like an important aspect, but it's one of the most important.

If your chimney flue is damaged, deteriorated, or inefficient in any way, the only option you really have is to install a new stainless steel chimney liner. The installation of a new chimney liner can be done with household tools if you're someone who's handy around the house, and you'll also need to invest in a chimney liner kit. If you frequently use your chimney, keeping a safe liner is something you'll definitely want to do. This way, you're preventing carbon monoxide from leaking into your home and lowering your chances of a chimney fire. Plus, a majority of chimney liners come with a lifetime warranty.

After installing their liner kit, many homeowners don't consider the idea of having their chimney regularly cleaned or checked for maintenance purposes. Well, if you're one of those homeowners, that's not good and you should call a chimney sweep immediately, but we digress. Of course, having a home with a beautiful rustic fireplace that you can light during the winter is a beautiful thing to have, but that's only if you take care of it - otherwise plenty of problems ensue.

With the chimney being one of the most neglected areas of the home, it's crucial for homeowners to understand the necessary maintenance so it functions properly and safely. The problem with chimney systems being neglected is that many homeowners don't understand what a complex system it has become over the years.

Have you always dreamed of having a home filled with the warmth of a wood burning stove? If so, Fireside Chimney can help you achieve that goal before winter arrives. Let’s first assess our materials and costs for this home-making project.

For many homeowners, chimney upkeep can be a daunting task, but that's why professionals exist, so whether you choose to do any cleaning and maintenance on your own, or you'd rather hire someone to do the job, we're here to tell you how difficult of a do-it-yourself task it may be.