A Step In Time Chimney Sweeps

  What Is A Chimney Liner? A liner in a masonry chimney is defined as a “ceramic, clay, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion.” Despite the fact that building codes vary in different states and localities, flue lining installation has been recommended since early this century, with most fire codes now mandating liners. What Do Chimney Liners Do? 1.  To protect the house from heat transfer to combustible substances.  In the NBS tests, unlined chimneys gave heat the leeway to move through the chimney so rapidly that the adjacent woodwork caught fire in three and a half hours. 2.  To protect the masonry from the destructive byproducts of combustion.  In the same NBS tests, it was found that if the flue gases were given the opportunity to penetrate through to the brick and mortar, the result potentially would be a reduct...