A relining of a chimney is not only tricky business, but it has to be done precisely or you can increase the risk of fire and other hazards in your home.

Common reasons you may need Chimney Relining

There are many reasons that you may need to have a relining done. The most common are:

·         Age - if you have an older home the lining in the chimney may have degraded and need to be replaced for safety reasons.

·         Insert - if you plan on installing an insert you may have to have a different type of chimney relining installed. Inserts need a specific air flow and venting to be able to produce heat efficiently. Many older linings can’t provide the heat transfer prevention capability that the new style of lining requires.

·         New construction or renovation - If you have a chimney, even if you don't plan on using it, you need to have it lined. That lining plays an important role in maintaining the structural integrity of your home. Without a lining you will lose heat and gain moisture in all the places you don't want it.

What is involved in the process?

Fortunately, the new styles of Chimney Inspections don't always require that the old liner be removed before they are placed. Your contractor can determine if this is possible for you. The real art of the installation comes in providing the right barriers around the lining. These barriers serve three purposes.

1.They act as sound proofing.

2.They prevent heat transfer.

3.They control moisture.

If you have a chimney that is being relined over the existing liner, making sure that the integrity of the insulation installed around it is essential. This is why this job is generally considered a task for professionals only. There is too much to consider, and too much you have to learn from years of experience to be capable of doing from just watching some videos online.

Finding out if you need it done

The only way to tell if you need a Chimney Sweeps done is to call a contractor and have them come out and inspect the chimney. If you are looking for a more neutral opinion, call a home inspector. Just remember that the integrity of the lining plays a role in the insurance rates and the value your home is assessed with. If you at all think you might need relining, chances are it is way past the time of just thinking about it and time to commit to doing something to fix it.