Fiddler on the Roof Chimney Sweep

When should you reline a chimney?

Here's what the National Fire Protection

Agency (NFPA) 211 Standard,

section 9-9, has to say about the need to

reline a chimney:

If the flue liner of a masonry chimney has softened, cracked, or

otherwise deteriorated such that it no longer has the continued

ability to contain the products of combustion, i.e., heat, moisture,

creosote, and flue gases, it shall be either removed and replaced,

repaired, or relined with a listed liner system or other approved

material that will resist corrosion, softening, or cracking from flues

gases at temperatures appropriate to the class of chimney service.

So, here are the most common signals to you that a chimney needs to be relined:

*      Missing flue tiles

*      Bad joints between flue tiles

*      Flue tiles that are soft, cracked, or missing.

What causes the problems? Let's take a look.

It could be the flue liner was never installed properly, or the liners broke

when they were put in. The tiles could have been damaged in a chimney

fire. Or, it may be that water soluble refractory cement was used between

the tiles and the joints have deteriorated.

What else do you look for that might signal a reline? A chimney that has

excessive creosote, especially third-degree creosote, is obviously a

problem. The homeowners' burning habits may be responsible. But, it

also may be a situation where the chimney is too big for the appliance.

.

It could be that an insert has been stuck into a fireplace chimney, or a

woodstove is vented into fireplace chimney, and the chimney is just too

cotton-pickin' big. In this case, creosote will deposit everywhere—it

never gets out of the chimney. It lazes around cools, and then sticks on

the sides of the flue. This is a classic example of a chimney that needs to

be relined.

Creosote leaking out through the chimney may mean looking at a total

tear down rather than a reline. Creosote that has permeated the mortar

or bricks is a dangerous situation.

Al the manufacturers of lining systems recommend a chimney be

cleaned before a relining is done, otherwise you have a potential for fire.

If the creosote is so extensive it can't be removed, you may have to do a

rebuild.

Another situation you want to be a ware of is condensation. This can

occur in any gas or oil system that's vented to a masonry chimney.

Why? Because the new, high efficiency appliances don't usually create

enough draft in the large, old chimneys to vent moisture up and out of

the chimney. This leads to condensation inside the chimney walls.

There are several basic signs to watch for. There may be water coming

through the chimney. You may see stains or bubbling wallpaper on the

inside. On the outside, you may see white efflorescence stains. Or, you

may be tipped off when you find and accumulation of debris in the

clean-out or connector pipe. A chimney may need to be relined to create

the right size flue to make the appliance operate properly.

Many of our customers like our Forward Scheduling Plan.

Safety comes first with Fiddler on the Roof Chimney Sweep.

Don't worry about missing an important cleaning or inspection.

We'll call you !

EXPERT CHIMNEY SWEEPS

Glens Falls NY, Saratoga Springs NY, Lake George NY and more !