Thursday, October 16, 2008

Keep Your Home Protected with a Chimney Liner

Chimney liners are one of the most important fireplace accessories you can buy to protect your home and health. Extreme temperatures and toxic gases are produced when you light a fire in a gas or wood burning fireplace. These combustion products can cause great damage to the fireplace and chimney, and might even cause illness.

A chimney liner is a metal, ceramic or clay insert that protects the chimney from these byproducts of a burning fire. It also protects the chimney walls from heat and corrosion. If the chimney becomes too hot or damaged in any way, the surrounding wood is liable to catch fire.

According to various tests, an unlined chimney is a serious danger. In America, houses built later than 1940 that have a fireplace are required to have a chimney liner in good condition, unbroken with no cracks.

Chimney liners come in three main types:

1. The traditional material for chimney liners is clay tiles. This is an inexpensive option, easily obtainable, and works satisfactorily in an open fireplace chimney that is suitably kept up.

2. A metal chimney liner is commonly made from aluminum or stainless steel, and is mostly used for repairing or upgrading an existing chimney. When installed correctly, a metal liner has a high safety rating and is very durable.

3. Another option is the cast-in-place liner. This lightweight item is produced from material that looks like cement. Following installation in the chimney, it will provide a seamless, insulated route for the release of all the byproducts of a burning fire. An older chimney will benefit structurally from this kind of permanent liner, and it is compatible with various types of fuel.

These days, homeowners who are putting in a new chimney liner frequently choose stainless steel over clay tiles since it's easier to install. It comes in two types: stiff or flexible.

Most people choose to have their new chimney liner professionally installed. But you can save some money by purchasing a kit which comes complete with detailed installation instructions. Generally, all the needed attachments and accessories are included in these kits to make sure the installation goes smoothly.

If your house has a working fireplace, it's highly important that you get a professional inspection to ensure that it meets today's safety criteria, particularly if it's an older home. If you have an old chimney that's in poor repair or not properly lined, you're putting your family's safety at risk. And since there are a number of reasonably priced and effective ways to correct the situation, there’s really no excuse not to invest in one of these essential fireplace accessories.

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