Chimney liner installation and repair in Lake Forest, IL
The liner is the pipe inside the chimney. It is the last barrier between the heat and gases and your house.
Inside a masonry chimney there should be a liner: clay tiles, a metal pipe or a cast-in-place lining. It carries smoke and combustion gases up and out, and it protects the brick and the wood framing from heat.
Liners crack, shift and wear out. Older chimneys may have cracked tiles, gaps between tiles, or no liner at all. When we find a liner problem on an inspection, we explain it, show you the camera footage if we used a camera, and talk through the options. Sometimes that is repair, and sometimes it is a new liner sized correctly for what you burn.
Liner work we can discuss with you
- Inspecting the liner with a camera to find cracks and gaps
- Repairing limited damage where that is a sound option
- Installing a new stainless steel liner
- Making sure the liner size matches the fireplace, stove or insert it serves
- Insulating or sealing the liner according to the manufacturer’s instructions
Reasons the liner may need attention
- A chimney inspection or camera scan showed cracked or missing tiles
- You are installing a new stove, insert or other appliance
- There was a chimney fire
- Smoke or fumes smell stronger than usual
- Pieces of tile or debris collect at the bottom of the flue
A damaged liner is a safety issue, not a cosmetic one, so we will always tell you plainly what we saw. For help figuring out your next step, read signs your chimney needs repair or call us.
Questions we hear
Do all chimneys need a liner?
A working chimney should have a liner that is in good condition and suited to the appliance connected to it. An inspection will tell you where yours stands.
Can a cracked liner be repaired?
In some cases, yes. In others the better choice is a new liner. We will explain the reasoning for your situation.
Why does the size matter?
A liner that is too big or too small for the appliance can cause poor draft and buildup. We match the two.
Is a liner a DIY job?
We would not recommend it. It involves working at height and getting sizing and sealing right.
Other services
Tell us what you’re seeing
Leave your name, number and a few words about the chimney or fireplace. We read every request and call you back. If it is urgent, call us instead: (224) 271-0137.