Let’s go over exactly how long a chimney liner lasts.
A chimney liner in optimal working condition serves several vital purposes inside your chimney. First, it prevents carbon monoxide from entering adjacent bricks and your home. It also protects the home’s building materials surrounding the chimney. Another purpose is to shield the chimney from high temperatures and the caustic chemicals introduced during wood-burning. For these reasons, the lifespan of a chimney liner is an important topic. Let’s go over exactly how long a chimney liner lasts.
About Chimney Liners
Chimney liners are defined as a “clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside a chimney that contains the combustion products, directs them outside, and protects the chimney walls from heat and corrosion.”
While building codes vary from state to state and local municipality standards, modern buildings generally require chimney liners. Chimney liners require an annual inspection, and fireplaces must have the liner cleaned to about one-eighth inch of creosote or soot buildup. Some homeowners clean the fireplace twice a year if they use it heavily and as the primary means of heating.
Signs Your Chimney Liner Needs Replacing
Having your chimney liner inspected by a professional chimney technician is important. The technician may recommend a new liner in these situations:
- Existing damage to clay tile liner: Cracks can let carbon monoxide and fiery sparks escape, allowing poisonous gas to enter the house or the chimney interior to catch on fire.
- Low flue temperatures or condensation issues: Without a chimney liner, low flue temperatures cause condensation that can lead to corrosion.
- Fireplace conversion or insert: When converting your existing fireplace to burn a different fuel or installing a new fireplace insert, a new kind of liner may be needed. A professional will determine if this is necessary.
How Long Do Chimney Liners Last?
The average lifespan of a chimney liner is 15 to 20 years. After two decades, it will probably need to be replaced to ensure it’s still up to code and not a fire risk.
The general time frame is 15 to 20 years, but some factors can shorten or improve the lifespan. It often depends on the type of chimney liner. Stainless steel liners have a longer lifespan, at about 15 to 20 years than clay tile liners.
Meanwhile, some cheaper chimney liners may require substantial repairs or a complete replacement in as little as five years. There is also the factor of how well the chimney has been treated. If you bought an old home with a traditional fireplace, then it’s likely the chimney has been neglected.
Schedule Your Chimney Cleaning from Champion Chimneys, Inc.
When you need a trusted company for your chimney inspection and chimney cleaning, you can trust our team. Champion Chimneys, Inc. is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured chimney service company that has served customers in Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland, since 2001. Our team is trained and certified by Certified Chimney Professionals, Inc. (CCP, Inc.). We specialize in all aspects of your chimney system. Whether you need chimney and flue cleaning service or a full chimney rebuild or inspection, contact us at 443-Chimney today and let us fix all your chimney problems. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.