Columbus, OH & surrounding areas
Chimney Liner Installation & Relining
A cracked or missing flue liner is a safety problem, not maintenance.
- Camera inspection of the flue first
- Stainless liner sized to the appliance
- Draft tested before we leave
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- Free in-home estimates
- Fully insured
- Warranty up to 1 year
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The liner is the surface the fire touches. Its job is to contain heat and combustion gases so they go out the top instead of into the wall cavity beside it. Older chimneys use clay tile, which cracks with age and heat; some very old chimneys were built with no liner at all. This is the one item on the list where the right advice is sometimes to stop using the appliance today.
Signs you'd notice
- Pieces of clay tile turning up in the firebox
- An inspection report that flagged a cracked, gapped, or missing liner
- A new furnace, water heater, or insert vented into an old flue
- A chimney built before liners were standard
- You've had a chimney fire, whether or not it seemed serious
What happens on the visit
- 1
Camera the flue
A video scan is the only honest way to assess a liner. You'll see the footage — cracks, gaps, and missing sections are unmistakable once they're on screen.
- 2
Size the liner to the appliance
An oversized flue drafts badly and lets exhaust cool and condense; an undersized one can't vent. The liner has to match what it's serving, not just fit down the hole.
- 3
Install stainless, insulated
Stainless steel liner, insulated along its length, connected properly at the appliance and terminated correctly at the top with a new cap.
- 4
Test the draft before we leave
A liner that's installed but doesn't draw isn't finished. We verify it works with the appliance running.
Why it matters
This is the failure that hurts people. A cracked liner lets heat reach framing that was never meant to get hot, and it lets combustion gases — including carbon monoxide — into the house instead of out the top. If an inspection flags your liner, treat it as the thing you fix first.
Recent work
What the work looks like
Our own photos, from real Columbus-area jobs. Tap a project to see every photo.
Questions
Liners & Relining: what people ask us
What is a chimney liner, and how do I know if mine has failed?
The liner is the inner surface of the flue. It keeps heat and combustion gases contained so they don't reach your framing or leak into the house. Older chimneys use clay tiles, which crack; some very old chimneys were built with no liner at all. Tell-tale signs are pieces of clay tile turning up in the firebox, or an inspection report flagging cracks. A failed liner isn't a maintenance item to schedule for next year — it's the reason to stop using the appliance until it's addressed.
Is a chimney fire always obvious?
No, and that's the danger. A big one is unmistakable — roaring, cracking, dense smoke. But a slow one can burn itself out without anyone noticing, while still cracking tiles and damaging the liner. If you suspect you had one, stop using the fireplace and get a Level 2 inspection, which includes a camera scan of the flue interior.
Do gas fireplaces and gas appliances need chimney service?
Yes. Gas burns cleaner than wood but its exhaust is acidic, and it eats away at clay tile and mortar over time. Gas-fired flues also block with nests and debris just like wood flues do, and a blocked gas flue pushes carbon monoxide back toward the house. Different failure mode, same annual inspection.
Related
While we're up there
Chimney Sweeping
Creosote, soot, and blockages cleared out of your flue.
Chimney Inspections
A documented look at the whole system, firebox to crown.
Chimney & Masonry Repair
Tuckpointing, brick replacement, and rebuilds — above and below the roofline.
Caps, Crowns & Chase Covers
The lid on your chimney. Keeps rain, leaves, and animals out.
Get a free estimate on your chimney
Pick a day and a time window online, or call and talk to a person. The estimate is free, and the drone inspection is included.