Is A Chimney Liner Necessary?

You can tell a lot about a masonry chimney just by looking at the brickwork or stonework. However, there is one crucial component you cannot see with just a cursory exterior overview, and this is whether the chimney has a liner. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets the standards for chimneys, fireplaces, vents, and solid-fuel appliances, as published in NFPA 211. These standards are incorporated into building codes as a matter of law in the US and around the world. The code states that masonry chimneys must have an approved lining material that can resist corrosion, erosion, softening, or cracking from vent gases at temperatures up to 1,800°F.

Why Your Chimney Needs a Liner?

There are two major reasons why your chimney needs a liner. First, fire prevention: it prevents the intense heat in the flue from transferring to combustible materials and potentially starting a fire in the attic, ceiling, or wood framing. Second, protection from carbon monoxide poisoning: a liner also prevents deadly carbon monoxide exhaust from leaking into your living space. They also have several other essential benefits, including:

• Improves Heating Efficiency: An appropriately sized liner ensures the flue gases move upward smoothly and efficiently, creating a strong draft. It allows your fireplace or other heating appliance to operate at its peak performance, producing more heat in your living space.
• Protects Masonry from Corrosive Byproducts: Combustion creates acidic compounds that can eat away at the mortar and bricks of your chimney’s masonry walls. A liner helps prevent this chemical damage, reducing repairs and premature rebuilds.
• Simplifies Maintenance: A smooth, continuous liner helps reduce the buildup of dangerous creosote and soot, simplifying chimney sweeping and reducing the risk of a fire.

Risks To Homes Without a Chimney Liner?

An unlined or damaged chimney liner is a significant safety hazard. Chimney fires, the natural settling of your home, or even condensation can cause cracked tiles and mortar joints in the flue. Using a fireplace or heating appliance with a damaged liner is dangerous as it can lead to the silent and deadly exposure to carbon monoxide or a devastating house fire. Furthermore, condensation from gas and oil appliances can be destructive to terra-cotta flues, eroding mortar joints and compromising the chimney’s structural integrity.

The Benefits of a Thermocrete® Chimney Liner

For an advanced solution, Thermocrete® is a ceramic-based liner that can repair and restore your chimney. It can also be installed in chimney flues that need relining or in unlined chimneys. Applied as a seamless, spreadable coating by certified professionals, Thermocrete® offers benefits that often surpass traditional liners:

• Superior Durability: Thermocrete is formulated to be more resilient than terra-cotta liners, resisting corrosion, acids, and creosote buildup.
• Enhanced Safety: The coating instantly seals all cracks and gaps, creating a gas-tight barrier, preventing leaks and reducing the risk of chimney fires.
• Reduces Heating Costs: The smooth, insulating surface of Thermocrete® improves airflow and draft, which improves heating efficiency and reduces energy costs.
• Cost-Effective: The application is quicker and less disruptive than a complete chimney rebuild or a traditional liner installation, and its lifetime warranty minimizes the need for future repairs.

Where to Buy Thermocrete® Chimney Liners 

Thermocrete® is a specialized product available exclusively for professional installation. To ensure proper application and safety, it must be installed by an Approved Industries certified professional. For a safer, more durable, and more efficient fire-burning experience, contact an Approved Industries certified installer near you to learn more about Thermocrete® for your chimney flues.