Stainless Steel Chimney Liners Are Durable & Long-Lasting
When you’re sitting in front of your fireplace, warm and comfy in the glow of the flickering flames, you’re probably not thinking about all the various parts and pieces that make it all possible. Why would you when you have a charming roaring fire to enjoy? And while we can’t blame you, it is crucial that you maintain a general awareness of the health and condition of all these individual elements so you can ensure a safer fireside experience every time.
Perhaps one of the most important of these composite parts is that of the chimney liner – and when it comes to metal liners, stainless steel tends to excel.These are typically used when either upgrading a liner or replacing a damaged one, and as long as they’re properly installed and appropriately maintained, they’ll reliably serve for decades.
Fortunately, if you’re a homeowner in St. Louis, MO or any of the surrounding communities, English Sweep, Inc. is just the right company to call for all your stainless steel chimney relining needs. Known for being trustworthy, reliable, and experienced, the team at English Sweep can help with all matters concerning your hearth and home heating.
Want to learn more about us and what we might be able to do to make your hearth the absolute best it can be? Get in touch through our website, or give us a call at 636-225-3340 – we’d love to work with you!
What Are the Advantages of a Stainless Steel Chimney Liner?
Metal chimney liners have become increasingly more popular over the years in all kinds of different chimneys simply because of their versatility and the ease of installation. But why choose stainless steel over another type of metal liner?
Yes, stainless steel does tend to be on the pricier side of things compared to some of the other metal options, but there are also some serious benefits associated with the higher price tag that you just won’t get with lesser quality metals:
Compatible With Multiple Fuel Types:
Stainless steel liners can work with wood-burning, gas, pellet, or oil-fueled appliances, so you don’t have to worry about any limitations put in place by the fuel you burn.
Long-Lasting:
Stainless steel is known for being extremely durable, and most of these liners come with a limited lifetime or lifetime warranty – if installed and maintained by a certified technician.
Protection From Heat Damage & Transfer:
Missing mortar joints and cracked terra cotta flue tiles can lead to damaged masonry, heat transfer, and an increased fire risk, but stainless steel is known for preventing these issues.
Protection From Corrosion:
Worried about those corrosive combustion byproducts and the harm they can cause to the masonry of your chimney? With a corrosion-resistant stainless steel liner, smoke and fumes get safely transported out of the chimney, leaving your masonry unaffected. This means fewer repair issues in your future.
Insulation Options:
Stainless steel liners can be insulated, which helps to minimize condensation and creosote buildup significantly. Plus, an insulated flue liner will typically achieve better draft, meaning fewer issues with smoke coming back down into the home when you start a fire in the fireplace.
Easy Installation:
If you want a quick installation so you can get back to using your fireplace, stainless steel is the way to go! Installation is quick and simple for those (like us here at English Sweep) with experience.
Whether your chimney is made of traditional brick masonry or prefabricated, an intact, high-quality flue liner is vital for safe and relaxing system operation. And in the end, stainless steel liners are more efficient, more durable, and last longer than some of the alternatives – working to keep you and your home safe for years to come.
Intrigued, but still have a few questions about feasibility with your specific setup? We’d be happy to help. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 636-225-3340.
Why Are Chimney Liners Essential?
If you’ve decided stainless steel is the right choice for you, then great! We’re happy to get you set up with a service appointment and get that new stainless flue liner installed. Regardless of where you are in your chimney safety shopping journey, however, we believe it’s important for all of our customers – and hopefully those soon to be – to understand why any kind of chimney liner is important in the first place.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) highlights three major functions of a properly installed chimney liner:
Protecting adjacent woodwork:
Unlined chimneys stand the risk of igniting adjacent flammable materials within only a matter of hours. This isn’t a risk you want to take! Any liner is better than no liner, so whether you know your chimney is currently unlined or you’re not quite sure, it would be in your best interest to talk with a professional sooner rather than later – and well before you use your fireplace.
Keeping your masonry sturdy:
Your brickwork and mortar will wear down a lot faster if your system is unlined. The acidic fumes and gases naturally produced during combustion can put a lot of wear and tear on your masonry if allowed to come into direct contact, and eventually this will cause the material to crumble and deteriorate. And if that weren’t enough in and of itself, the more it breaks down, the higher the risk for carbon monoxide exposure and house fires.
Increasing your efficiency levels:
A properly lined chimney means heightened efficiency when operating your system. If your chimney interior is smooth and streamlined, fumes will vent out easier, and you’ll get more from your chimney draft.
How Long Do Stainless Steel Flue Liners Last?
Though it ultimately depends on other factors, stainless steel liners are known to last anywhere between 15-20 years or more, if you take pristine care of your chimney and overall appliance as a whole.
In fact, of the different liner materials and processes (other metals, terracotta, the rarely used cast-in-place method that utilizes a concrete mixture), stainless steel is one of the most long-lasting. This is largely because the material is strong, durable, and resistant to the high temperatures and acidic fumes that travel through it – as long as the size and alloy are the right ones for the specific appliance you have and the fuel you utilize.
All that said, just like not all chimneys and fireplace appliances are created equal, the same is true for their respective liners. An insulated stainless flue liner installed in a system that burns wood would not perform the same if utilized in a gas or oil-fueled fireplace. That’s why it is super important to work with a team of professionals when it comes to matters concerning your chimney and fireplace system.
At English Sweep, all of our techs are knowledgeable, highly trained, and certified with the CSIA, so you can rest assured you’ll be in good hands. We know which alloys are designed for which fuel types and we always take care to ensure the flue size is just right for your appliance in order to maximize optimal performance. Once it’s installed, we’ll give you a rundown on the guaranteed warranty and required maintenance so you know just what to expect moving forward.
To get started, all you have to do is reach out! Fill out this appointment request form right here on our website, or get in touch by phone at 636-225-3340 and we’ll take it from there. Let’s set you up for success so all you have to worry about is gathering the family for a cozy evening in the fire’s glow.
How Much Does It Cost To Install a Stainless Steel Chimney Liner?
Here’s the thing – we’d love to outline a rough price range that would apply to absolutely everyone, but it’s just not possible. Why is that? Well, because, unfortunately, like so much else in this industry, there are just too many factors that affect the total cost of our products and services. And because we never wish to mislead any of our customers, we choose to not advertise any of our pricing throughout our website.
However, we’re always more than happy to discuss estimates and approximate quotes in person or over the phone once we get a bit more information from you. We strongly believe that price transparency only creates better relationships with our customers and will always keep you in the loop throughout our entire process working together. Reach out online or by phone to speak with someone from our amazing team to learn more about our stainless steel relining prices – and what you can expect when you sign on to work with English Sweep.
English Sweep, Inc. Can Provide a Quality New Liner; Book With Us, Today!
Is it time to reline your chimney with a new stainless steel liner? Call today to request an appointment from our certified, experienced, and trusted team. We can be reached at 636-225-3340, and we’d love to guide you through this process!
If your furnace, water heater, or chimney needs relining, an aluminum liner may do the trick for you.