HeatShield® – Chimney Flue Liner Repair Product
You’ve probably never heard of HeatShield®…but it may be the answer to correcting hidden dangers in your chimney liner. When the clay liner in older chimneys cracks, it allows smoke, embers, and sometimes fire to escape through the liner into the ceilings and attic space of your home. You can imagine what can happen once smoke, embers, and fire are transferred to those areas.
One of the only options you used to have is to replace the entire chimney liner with a stainless steel liner or a cast masonry liner – both of which are costly and time-consuming. With HeatShield®, you now have the option to restore your chimney’s clay flue liner instead of the expensive cost of rebuilding or relining.
How do you find out if your liner has these dangerous issues? The answer is to make sure you get a thorough chimney inspection. This should include hiring a professional sweep to run a camera up through the chimney liner and closely inspect the walls of the liner itself. Through this process, we are able to see the details that reveal the hidden dangers that hide within the walls.
The more you know how a chimney works, the better you understand why it needs to be properly maintained. It’s so easy to get caught up in the warmth of a roaring fire and to forget it is also a potential hazard if not taken care of properly. Ready to gain some peace of mind? We’re here to help. Call or book online today.
Is a Damaged Chimney Liner Dangerous?
To put it simply…yes. A few things that can cause serious issues if not resurfaced and restored include:
- Deteriorated mortar between clay flue liners
- Cracked clay liners
- Spalled clay flue liners or tiles (flaking)
- Eroded clay liner
- Gaps and holes between flue tiles
- Cracked flue tiles
Though our number one reason for offering the HeatShield® option is for safety purposes, you should also consider the fact that a chimney that is stressed or in distress is one that is also not working efficiently. Those small gaps and cracks allow excess air into your chimney, slow the updraft and make it harder for smoke and gas to rise up and out. That means that the fireplace, wood stove or furnace will perform poorly, resulting in the loss of heat efficiency.
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), problems such as gaps, cracks and spalling (flaking) in your chimney’s flue can present serious risks to your home and family, because your chimney can no longer perform its intended function, which is to safely contain and vent the products of combustion to the outside of your home.
Once the HeatShield® treatment has been applied, though, it will restore the integrity of your chimney flue liner to vent the hazardous gases out of your home the way your chimney is supposed to do. We restore the proper functionality of your fireplace so you can enjoy your fireplace and rest at night knowing you have done everything you can to keep you and your family safe.
Does HeatShield® Chimney Relining Work?
The HeatShield® process eliminates the hazards and draft problems caused by gaps, cracks and spalling in otherwise sound masonry chimneys. These are all things you cannot readily see unless a chimney or fireplace inspection is done.
When you choose a Heatshield® Chimney Relining System you can rest assured that your home will be protected from unwanted combustion gases, stray flames, and more. This superior system also helps your fireplace operate at optimal performance levels by increasing draft efficiency, and it keeps moisture from corroding your chimney flue tiles.
How Do I Know if My Chimney Liner Is Damaged?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states, “If the flue liner in a chimney has softened, cracked or otherwise deteriorated so that it no longer has the ability to contain the products of combustion (i.e., heat, moisture, creosote, and flue gases), it shall be removed and replaced, repaired or relined…” NFPA 211-Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances (2010).
As you can see, these two major organizations – the CSIA and the NFPA – are well aware of the issues caused by allowing the deterioration of a chimney’s liner. It’s also written into the building codes and fire standards that chimneys should be structurally sound, durable, smoke-tight, and capable of conveying flue gases to the outside completely and safely. This is not only about new construction, but any residential or commercial structure that is fitted with a fireplace, wood stove or furnace appliance of any type.
Every property owner should start with an inspection to find out if this is something they even need to worry about. Most of the time, chimneys that have been properly maintained are fine unless something has happened to damage it outside of normal use. This could include weather incidents, tree damage or, on occasion, damage done by animals, including birds and rodents.
Having the option to restore your chimney with HeatShield® gives you and us a great way to restore function for safety and efficiency without the added hassles and cost of rebuilding the chimney with a new liner.
If you feel this might be something you want to look at, please contact us and let us know.
What Sets HeatShield® Apart From Other Relining Methods?
Other options for chimney relining include clay or metal liners. What sets Heatshield® apart?
- Clay liners are a great choice when a chimney is being built. However, when it comes to relining, they’re not a great choice because the process typically requires breaking out sections of your chimney every few feet.
- Metal liners, like stainless steel, can be a great choice since they can be used with all fuel types and tend to carry a lifetime warranty. That said, they tend to need to have additional insulation installed to help increase safety and performance – and they can be pricey.
Choosing a Heatshield® Chimney Relining System takes the guesswork out of the process because you can rest assured that you are getting the best-quality service backed by extensive testing and a limited lifetime warranty.
Not to mention, these systems can only be installed by qualified professionals who have proven they have the expertise and experience required by HeatShield® to install their products.
Things To Consider When Deciding if a HeatShield® System Is Right for You
When it comes time to decide on which relining system is best for your chimney, there are several things you need to consider:
- Age of Your Chimney: If your chimney is relatively new and in good condition, Heatshield® may not be necessary. However, if your chimney is more than 20 years old or has significant damage, Heatshield® may be a good choice to protect your chimney and prolong its lifespan.
- Type of Chimney: Heatshield® is compatible with most types of chimneys. However, if you have a prefabricated or factory-built chimney, Heatshield® is not an option. No worries, though – for these, we have other solutions.
- Condition of Your Chimney: If your chimney has cracks, leaks, or other issues, Heatshield® may be a good solution to protect your chimney and prevent further damage. However, if your chimney is in good condition, other relining methods may be more appropriate.
- Budget: Heatshield® chimney relining is often a more cost-effective solution than other relining methods. However, it’s still important to consider your budget and whether or not this is the best choice for your needs and financial situation.
- Usage of Your Chimney: If you use your chimney frequently, Heatshield® may be a good choice to protect it from the high temperatures and corrosive byproducts of combustion.
Give Us a Call
Choosing a Heatshield® Chimney Relining System for your home can be an effective and cost-efficient solution to protect your chimney from damage and improve its overall safety and efficiency. However, whether it’s the right choice for you depends on several factors, including the age, type, and condition of your chimney, as well as your budget and fireplace usage patterns.
With proper installation and maintenance, Heatshield® chimney relining can provide many years of reliable protection for your home and family. If you are curious about whether your chimney needs relining, call the professionals at Owens Chimney Systems today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is standing by to handle all your chimney and fireplace repairs and more.
Call us or schedule online now.
Ask us to install stainless steel liners to take care of your chimney relining needs for decades to come.