Should I Install a Chimney Liner Myself?
If your chimney doesn't have a chimney liner, you're taking a big risk. You, your family, and your pet's health and happiness is a stake. This is because a new chimney liner is your best way to avoid a potentially dangerous and even deadly chimney fire. A chimney liner is defined as "a clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion." What does this mean exactly?
When fuel like wood or charcoal burns, it breaks down and deposits itself as a powdery dust called soot. This chimney soot is fine black or dark brown powder made up of incompletely burned wood or coal. There is also creosote to be concerned with. Creosote is a byproduct of wood combustion that consists mainly of tar. Soot and creosote buildup is highly flammable, and should be avoided.
A properly insulated chimney liner helps to prevent creosote buildup on the inside walls of the flue. By insulating the inside of the flue from the outside structure of the chimney, the chimney liner keeps the flue hotter. This is important because it minimizes condensation of creosote and moisture inside the flu. This condensation is the cause of dangerous creosote buildup that so often leads to a chimney fire.
A chimney liner is required for optimal performance and safety! You can easily order a chimney liner online. Once it arrives, you are faced with the task of installing it. Can you do this yourself? Yes! It isn't nearly as difficult as you may fear. Having your chimney liner professionally installed can be more convenient, but there is the cost to consider. It normally ends up being costly, averaging anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000.
You don't need to pay that kind of money to have the safety you're looking for. On our website, you will find chimney liner kits that make the task simple to do. With a kit, you will have all the components needed to reline your chimney and you won't break the bank!
Installing your chimney liner yourself can be done in ten easy steps, which we've gone into in detail right here. Essentially, you prepare the stainless steel chimney liner, insert the liner into the top of the "female" end, insert the chimney liner down the flue, finish installing the tee connection, connect the pipe to the tee connection, connect the top plate to the top of the chimney, connect the liner to the top plate, and then install a chimney cap to keep future moisture from making its way in. That's it!
You should be able to install a chimney liner fairly easily and quickly. You don't need a lot of past DIY experience to do so. If you have any additional questions, reach out and ask!