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All About Chimney Liners

Several reasons why you really should have a chimney liner installed

Below are just a few reasons why you should have a chimney liner fitted when you use an open wood burning fire, a gas fire or a a solid fuel stove:

The chimney may not draw correctly withought a chimney liner.
A solid fuel stove with a 6 inch flue will not work very well if the diameter of the chimney is much greater.
Carbon Monoxide, which is a silent and odourless killer and smoke can escape into your room, or even a neighbouring property if the chimney is not sound.
A bare, unlined chimney will be rough and when a fire is burnt, deposits of tar and condensation will build up. This tar and other impurities will eventually find its way through the brick mortar into the house. This tar can make a terrible mess of staining walls and wall paper. The tar can even show up on the outside of an unlined chimney, making an unsightly mess to the exterior of your property.
If a chimney isn't fitted with a suitable liner and the tar deposits have built up to a dangerous level, any smoke can build up and come back into stoves or fires and then the room.
A quality chimney liner will go a long way to preventing a chimney fire. OK, it's still possible to have a chimney fire if the chimney liner hasn't been cleaned for years and has a serious build up of tar and other deposits, but the fire is far more likely to be confined to the metal liner.

Unfortunately building regulations don't insist on the fitting of a chimney liner, as long as the following points are satisfied, no chimney liner need be fitted:

As long as the chimney is proven to be sound by using the correct smoke test procedure.
The chimney flue is of a diameter suitable for the stove connected.
The fitter can connect to the chimney in a way that satisfies the building regulations.
The finished installation ensures that the stove draws in line with the stove manufacturer operating instructions.
The chimney can be readily and effectively swept.
No chimney liner need be fitted as long as each and every building regulation is followed to the letter.

I should point out that I always strongly advocate the fitting of a suitable chimney liner and this isn't just because I install them as part of my business. Chimney liners are by far the safest way to prevent chimney fires from happening in the first place and if they do, the fire is unlikely to cause damage to the property as the flames will be confined to the inside of the metal liner. Chimney liners are also a great way of fine tuning the diameter of the chimney aperture too. No more worries about missing render or masonry that will create ideal conditions for tar deposits to build up to dangerous levels. I also feel that by installing a good quality chimney liner, I am ensuring that any stove fitted will work properly and most importantly, I will be less likely to have the deaths of my clients from carbon monoxide poisoning on my conscience.

So what if you make the decision not to fit a chimney liner?

I strongly advise my customers to have a chimney liner fitted for the following reasons:

If your chimney is not sound, has cracks or holes then smoke and carbon monoxide can escape into your house. As chimneys are often on joining walls, these killer fumes may even be able to seep into your neighbours home. Imagine how you would feel if members of your family or your neighbours died as a direct result of carbon monoxide escaping into their living or sleeping space!

It only takes a blockage in the chimney to cause the smoke and other harmful gases to come back down the chimney or to go through any gaps, holes or cracks in the brickwork of the chimney. These blockages could be caused by a build up of tar and soot deposits, or the nest of a squirrel or bird.

Remember that hot air and smoke rises, whereas cooler air will slow, stop or sink back down the chimney. This happens when there is no chimney liner fitted and the chimney is rough and cold. The burning process will deposit tar and condensation which can seep through walls both inside and out, making a terrible mess.

By not having a chimney liner, a chimney fire is far more likely to occur.

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All about chimneys

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The lucky chimney sweep

Chimney liners, cowls, bird guards and chimney sweeping

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Burning wet or sappy wood in a solid fuel stove

New rules on solid fuel in the United Kingdom

Safe, legal solid fuels for your stove

Firewood - Its about getting the right balance

The benefits of solid fuel, wood burning and other multifuel stoves

Why have a solid fuel stove

Solid fuel stoves are not a thing of the past

Chimney and stove safety

Chimney safety and carbon monoxide poisoning

The history of chimney sweeping and stoves

The history of chimney sweeping

The history of the solid fuel stove

Why not call Ansell Chimneys now for a free quote

If you would like to know more or are interested in a quote we would be happy to help. Phone us on 01923 661 614, email us at info@ansellchimneys.co.uk or fill in our enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.

Ansell Chimneys

t. 01923 661 614 | m. 07941 282 325 | m. 07976 318 160 | Email us

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