Chimney liners just might be the most important part of cleaning the chimney of a home. This is particularly true in homes that have fireplaces and wood stoves, because the residue inside the chimney walls builds up over time. When this happens, there is an increased risk for the heat buildup to cause a chimney fire.
Chimney flue liners are usually composed of metal, ceramic, or clay, and they serve as conduits whose job it is to direct combustible material into the outside atmosphere. In addition to conducting harmful smoke and gases outside the home, chimney liners also protect the inside of the chimney from dangerous levels of heat. However,
Chimney liners just might be the most important part of cleaning the chimney of a home. This is particularly true in homes that have fireplaces and wood stoves, because the residue inside the chimney walls builds up over time. When this happens, there is an increased risk for the heat buildup to cause a chimney fire.
Chimney flue liners are usually composed of metal, ceramic, or clay, and they serve as conduits whose job it is to direct combustible material into the outside atmosphere. In addition to conducting harmful smoke and gases outside the home, chimney liners also protect the inside of the chimney from dangerous levels of heat. However, chimney liners, alone, cannot guarantee that the heat inside a chimney will not reach dangerous levels. Thus, cleaning the chimney on a routine basis is also essential for reducing the risk of a chimney fire.
While masonry chimneys were used for years without the protection of chimney liners, the risks of chimney fires led to a 1940 inquiry into those dangers by the National Bureau of Standard. The NBS tests revealed that the risk for fire in unlined chimneys was so high that the NBS felt that chimney liners should be required by law.
Although the building safety codes regulating chimney liners vary by state, everyone from masonry contractors to fire investigators urge homeowners to invest in high quality flue liners. As far a recommended frequency of cleaning your chimney, the National Fire Protection Association Standard 11 asserts that homeowners should clean the chimney once per year to ensure that it is clear of potentially hazardous debris.
For homeowners who use their fireplaces regularly, chimney cleaning should be considered a routine task. Additionally, the condition of the chimney liner might be the most important aspect of the process of chimney cleaning. Qualified chimney cleaning and repair companies possess the expertise needed to assure homeowners that their homes will not be at risk for chimney fires. The bottom line is with a clean chimney and a quality chimney liner, homeowners can enjoy the glow of the fireplaces worry-free.