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Many homes, especially older homes, have fireplaces. They add an element of ambiance as well as provide heat. However, some of the chimneys of yesteryear were built without chimney liners<\/a> which may be putting residents in danger of chimney fires.<\/p>\n Additionally, with the increase in DIY projects, as well as budget businesses, some homes have had aluminum flue liners installed in the interest of cost savings. Yet, aluminum flue liners are only rated for use with gas appliances<\/a>. If you have an unlined or improperly lined chimney, you\u2019ll appreciate this look at the reasons why you should replace your aluminum flue liner with stainless steel.<\/p>\n The flue liner in your chimney runs up through the inside of the chimney, protecting the surrounding brickwork. The chimney flue liner also protects nearby woodwork in the home from heat. The liner is an important part of any chimney<\/a>, keeping your home and the people in it safe.<\/p>\n People tend to think of bricks as indestructible. However, the masonry and brickwork of a fireplace is at risk<\/a> from corrosive byproducts of combustion such as creosote from burning wood. Additionally, acidic gasses rise through the flue and can cause destruction to the masonry, particularly at the mortar joints.<\/p>\n Heat can find new cracks to travel out of if the mortar joints fail instead of rising to the top. When these cracks develop the chance of chimney fires increase. Carbon monoxide poisoning<\/a> risks also increase.<\/p>\n Flue liners are designed to reduce the risk of chimney fires when wood or other easily-combustible parts of the home are exposed to more direct heat.<\/p>\n Since the early 1900s, clay tile flue liners were the most common method of lining chimneys. The lifespan of clay liners is about 50 years, and many poorly-maintained chimneys<\/a> may still have the original liner.<\/p>\n One disadvantage to clay liners is that rapidly rising temperatures can lead to cracks. If your flue liner is cracked, it puts your home at risk.<\/a> There are newer metal liners such as aluminum and stainless steel that are all one piece and can be installed inside existing clay tile flue liners. Because of their seamless construction, they completely cover and eliminate any existing cracks in the clay, brick or masonry flues. While aluminum is the less expensive of the metal options, you get what you pay for, and with cost savings can come some issues.<\/p>\n Aluminum flue liners aren\u2019t rated for the heat generated by most appliances. So if you have wood stoves or fireplaces<\/a>, aluminum is not the best choice. Aluminum flue liners may save you money in the short term, but the fact that their lifespan is much shorter, and they are not designed to handle the byproducts of burning solid materials, means that aluminum may not be the best long-term choice.<\/p>\n The shorter lifespan of aluminum flue liners is due to the fact that aluminum isn\u2019t corrosion resistant. Byproducts such as creosote<\/a> – the same corrosive material that corrodes masonry – can eventually corrode aluminum flue liners.<\/p>\n This corrosion can cause pinhole cracks to can form. These pinhole cracks are inclined to form throughout the flue liner and are enough of a breach of your liner to lead to a chimney fire even though they are so small that it can be nearly impossible to notice them until it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\nWhat Is a Chimney Flue Liner?<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s Wrong with Aluminum Flue Liners?<\/h2>\n