Chimney Services » Chimney & Dryer Services » Chimney Repairs »
Time To Schedule a Chimney Relining Service for Your System? Trust Ashbusters for a Job Well Done
When summer gives way to autumn and autumn turns to winter, our daily activities change too. Bright sunny days by the pool become outings to the pumpkin patch and, soon enough, those days are replaced by ones spent in front of the fireplace. But, just like the shift in seasons requires a certain sense of intent and evaluation to be fully enjoyed, so, too, does your fireplace and chimney system.
As simple as they appear on the outside, chimneys are deceptively complex. More than just a decorated pipe designed to escort harmful fumes out of your home, there are a host of component parts and pieces that go into making a chimney functional. Perhaps one of the most important – and one that is often overlooked – is that of the chimney liner.
Here at Ashbusters Chimney Service, we offer the best chimney relining services in and near Nashville. We’re proud to offer two excellent options when it comes to chimney relining – stainless steel replacement liners and HeatShield® – so no matter what kind of system you have, we have a relining solution.
To learn more about our chimney repair services, get in touch with someone from our team by reaching out online or by giving us a call at 615-459-2546. Let’s get this scheduled and out of the way so you can get back to what matters most – spending time with loved ones in front of a nice warm fire.
Why Is a Chimney Liner Important?
While relatively new on the scene over the last few decades (since the 1940s, especially), chimney liners are an essential part of your chimney system. And, when damaged or missing, chimney liners (or lack thereof) can be the cause of a variety of dangers both to your appliance and to your home itself. That’s where we come in.
But before we can even start to discuss relining a chimney, we need to establish why a chimney liner is important in the first place. There are those who don’t think a chimney really needs a liner in it to begin with. They base their beliefs on how older chimney systems were built and the fact that many of them do not have liners.
However, most modern homes with fireplaces (or, at least the ones constructed after the 1940s) are built with clay or terracotta liners or those made of stainless steel, which are among the best and safest chimney liners on the market today.
And when they began to deteriorate? For many years, the only option when a liner was damaged was to remove it completely and replace it with a stainless steel one. As you might imagine, tearing out a clay liner was a dirty, messy, and time-consuming job. This also meant it was costly. Only in the last few years have several products become available to help us repair many of the damaged clay and terracotta tiles, without having to completely replace them.
Chimney Relining Options: Repair or Replace?
Relining options are dictated by the type of chimney you have. If you have an older chimney (and one that’s made of brick), the liner is most likely made of clay. When the clay flakes, chips, breaks, or cracks, it can allow dangerous gases like carbon monoxide which is very poisonous, to enter your home through the attic and/or walls making it a must to repair or replace.
- The repair for a clay and terracotta liner is so new we have an entire page of information on the HeatShield® process explaining how it’s done. Essentially, it’s a chimney resurfacing process: the interior of the liner is coated with a blended ceramic and refractory material before it is smoothed out to leave a clean and even surface.
- If you have a stainless steel chimney liner, however, and it was installed by a certified chimney professional, it is backed by a lifetime warranty. Just call the original company and they will be able to help you get that liner replaced.
Regardless of the initial liner material, when it is determined that a liner is beyond repair and needs to be replaced, we always use stainless steel. This liner has a lifetime warranty and is just the best material available for the important job required of a chimney liner. Stainless steel will not rust and it holds and moves the heat and smoke up through the house and out into the atmosphere with ease. The warranty is only good with the professional installation of the product, though – another reason to make sure you are working with a certified chimney company.
5 Reasons to Repair or Replace Chimney Liners
- Erosion and/or deterioration of the clay mortar holding the tiles together
- The clay liner is cracked
- Flaking or spalling of the clay on the liner walls
- Gaps between the flue tiles
- Cracked flue tiles
Both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) have issued statements stating that cracks, gaps, and other damage to the flue liner should result in removal, replacement, or relining of the flue for safety and structure reasons. We are happy to go over the building and fire codes that state that chimneys should be completely sealed for maximum safety.
How Much Does it Cost To Install a Chimney Liner?
Here’s the thing: while we would love to be able to provide you with a definite and universally applicable price range for chimney relining, we just can’t. The reason for this is because each and every chimney and fireplace system is just a little bit different. This means that the same service could cost two homeowners two very different prices – simply because of their specific and unique setup.
It’s the same reason why we don’t advertise prices for any of our services throughout our website: we don’t wish to mislead anyone across our wide customer base.
However, here at Ashbusters Chimney Service, we value integrity and transparency as pillars of our business – especially when it comes to pricing. Just because it’s not pasted all over the internet does not mean that we hide that information…we simply need more details from you before we can discuss how much we charge!
If you’re interested in learning more about the cost of our chimney liner replacement or relining services for your Nashville home, all you have to do is get in touch with someone from our team. Once we have a better idea of your appliance, system, and setup, we’ll be able to discuss approximate estimates with more accuracy. Reach us online or by calling 615-459-2546. We’re here to answer all your questions and get you the information you need.
What Are the Signs of a Damaged Chimney Liner?
Like so much else in this industry, knowing when your system is damaged and in need of repair can sometimes be a little tricky and situation-dependent. When it comes to your liner, because it is nestled within the walls of your chimney, unless the damage is extreme, it can be a real challenge to discern its general condition. This is especially true if your appliance sports a metal liner as opposed to one constructed of terracotta tiles.
That’s why we’re so adamant about emphasizing the importance of maintaining a regular preventive maintenance schedule – services like annual chimney sweeps and inspections ensure everything is set up safely and properly.
All that to say, while it may be tough to know exactly what’s going on (and if the issues you’re noticing are even related to your liner as opposed to something else), there are still some signs to keep a lookout for. But, remember, just because you notice any of these things does not mean you automatically have a chimney liner problem, nor does this list serve as any sort of diagnostic criteria.
Whenever you experience inefficiencies such as the following while operating your fireplace, it is imperative that you call us to come out and take a look:
- Crumbly bits of terracotta littering the floor of your firebox
- Difficulty with proper airflow and starting a fire – or keeping one lit
- Excessive amounts of smoke entering your living space or other issues with backdrafts
No matter the root cause of your chimney/fireplace problems, the talented team of experts at Ashbusters Chimney Service is the one to trust to fix it. To learn more about us and what we can do for you, simply reach out through our website, or give us a call at 615-459-2546.
Can I DIY a Chimney Relining Service?
When it comes to all things chimney, fireplace, and venting, there is a very big difference between the words “can” and “should.” So, while you technically can do whatever you want concerning your hearth and home, as a professional chimney service provider, we are of the mind that you definitely shouldn’t.
Like we talked about earlier, these appliances are actually very complicated and incredibly dangerous. Poking around in an attempt to DIY a chimney relining service – without the proper background knowledge and industry experience – could not only harm your system and introduce the potential for dangers, it could also end up costing you time and money in the long run. Trust us, the better, faster, safer, and easier route is to get in touch with professionals for the job. We know what we’re doing – and how to do it safely and efficiently.
It’s All About Safety – Call Us When Something Is Off
The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) and Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) do what they do for one reason: keeping people safer.
The NFPA writes and maintains codes from fire safety issues caused by chimneys, the electrical setup, and any other problems that arise that could lead to fire in a home or business. Meanwhile, the CSIA is a nationwide certification program and educational non-profit dedicated to certifying individuals for chimney and dryer vent safety. And, while between these two institutions they cover just about everything possible to keep you as safe as possible, the one thing they cannot do is make you act when you know or see that something might be wrong.
That’s why we rely on you to call us here at Ashbusters when you think there might be an issue with your fireplace. Just like everything else, these appliances have a life cycle. That cycle can be extended or cut short based on maintenance. When the time comes to address the liner in your chimney system, our recommendations are always about keeping you and your family safer.
Generally speaking, we find most of the liner issues when a level 2 chimney inspection is done. We run a video camera up the system and take a 360° view from the firebox to the crown. This allows us to see the entire inside run of the liner. When we see damage as described above, we will bring it to your attention so we can discuss the best options for you and your family.
Take a moment and call 615-459-2546 or schedule an appointment online for that inspection today. Let’s make sure everything in your chimney system is working properly – we’re ready to help.
Call Ashbusters for the Best Chimney Relining Near Nashville
Whether you know for a fact something is wrong with your existing chimney liner, or you just have a hunch it might be time to evaluate its condition, Ashbusters Chimney Service is the place to call. When it comes to the best chimney relining near Nashville, there’s simply no one better for the job than us.
But, that’s not all we do. Ashbusters is a professional full-service chimney and venting company, which basically just means that we do it all. Have yet to schedule that annual chimney sweep? No worries – we can do that. Worried your chimney might need some more intensive maintenance or repairs? We can help with that too.
Schedule your appointment today by filling out this online form, or calling 615-459-2546. We can’t wait for you to get back to enjoying your fireplace with the ones you love.
One of your chimney relining options is HeatShield® which helps avoid the mess of other chimney repair choices.