You might be wondering what happens if you do not have a chimney liner. Having a chimney liner is important because it improves the safety of your fireplace and your home. What happens when you do not have a chimney liner? Is it dangerous? What are the potential risks that may arise? We will find out the answer to these questions below.
What happens if you don’t have a chimney liner? If you do not have a chimney liner, there is a high risk of overheating which can lead to your chimney combusting. Your home is also in danger of fire. Chimney liners act as a barrier between the fire, the chimney, and the surrounding elements. They play a big role in protecting our chimney and your home.
If your chimney uses gas, wood, and oil as fuel, then you must install a chimney liner. It can help protect your home from potential fires as well as the other danger of having an unlined chimney. Let us learn more about the danger of not having a liner for your chimney below.
Why is it Important for Chimneys to Have Liners?
Chimney liners are important because they help protect the chimney from the heat of the fire and the burning ember. The right chimney liner also helps contain the gasses and smoke from the fireplace so that they do not leak inside your home. Moreover, chimney liners are efficient when it comes to protecting the structure of the chimney. There are many benefits that you can get from installing a chimney liner for your home.
What are the Reasons Why You Need to Install a Chimney Liner?
You need to install a chimney liner because it guides the smoke out from your chimney, protects it from corrosion, improves its efficiency, and reduces soot and creosote buildup. Maintaining the structure, functionality, and efficiency of your chimney is a must. Otherwise, you will spend a lot of time, effort, and money on the repairs. Let us learn more below about why you need to install a chimney liner.
Directs Smoke Out from the House
One of the reasons why you need to install a chimney liner is that it helps direct smoke out from your house. It provides an additional barrier between dangerous byproducts and your home. Without a liner, there is a possibility that byproducts can seep through the small cracks of the chimney and into your home. This is very dangerous because it can get mixed up with the air that you breathe. You can also read this article that discusses what material is used for a chimney liner. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Offers Protection from Corrosion
Another reason why it is important to install a chimney liner is that it offers protection from corrosion. Without the presence of a chimney liner, acidic materials will penetrate your chimney. With prolonged exposure, mortar joints will start to erode and can expose the exterior of the masonry to moisture. This can lead to corrosion and you will end up with a damaged chimney.
Improves Energy Efficiency
A good chimney liner will provide energy efficiency for the chimney. It can help maintain a steady airflow so that fuel will burn more efficiently. You do not have to use a lot of fuel to keep the fire burning brighter and your house stays warm.
Provides Extra Protection for the Chimney
Another reason why chimney liners are important is that they provide extra protection for the chimney. The fuel that you use to ignite a fire can generate by-products that are corrosive and can damage the chimney. Bear in mind that the gasses produced from burning fire are naturally acidic which will eventually erode the brick and mortar of the chimney if it does not have a liner. We have also shared this article titled, what are the different types of chimney liners? You can check out the article for more tips and information.
Lessens Soot and Creosote
Using a chimney liner will lessen the soot and creosote on your chimney. Soot and creosote are dangerous because they are flammable. They are also hard to clean. To efficiently remove them from your chimney, you need to hire the services of professionals who are equipped with the right skills and tools.
✅ Video – Can You Burn Creosote Out of Chimney?
Chimney Safety Institute of America shared the video below on YouTube. It discusses if you can burn creosote out of chimneys. This is a common question asked by homeowners. Find out the answer by watching the video below.
What to Do if Your Chimney Do Not Have a Liner?
If your chimney does not have a liner, you need to hire the services of professionals to have one installed. Check the fire code in your city for the rules and regulations that you need to follow. For instance, if you install a stove or fireplace, some cities will mandate that you install a liner. Moreover, if you are using wood as fuel, it is recommended that you install a liner to prevent overheating.
On the other hand, if you are not using the fireplace and your chimney serves as a vent for your heater or furnace, then there is no need to install a liner. Moreover, if you are using a gas or electric insert, it is not recommended that you install a liner because these fireplaces do not generate much heat to cause damage to a chimney. You can also read this article that discusses if unlined chimneys are safe. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
How to Tell if a Chimney Liner Needs Replacement?
If your chimney liner is damaged or does not have the right size if it shows signs of cracks and other hazards, and if it has been too long since you last install a liner, then it is time to replace it. Without a liner, your chimney is in danger and it can also put your property and family at risk. Since a liner will not last forever, you will eventually need to replace it. Bear in mind that moisture in the smoke and gases can lead to creosote which easily sticks to the walls of the liner and restricts draft and flow.
Does Not Have the Right Size
One of the reasons why you need to replace your chimney liner is that it does not have the right size. A common mistake done by homeowners when they decide to install the liner themselves is that they do not choose the right size. This can lead to a lot of issues because the liner will not function properly. You can also read this article that discusses if a water heater needs a chimney liner. We have shared helpful information that you can refer to.
Signs of Cracks and Damage
Another reason why you need to change the chimney liner is when you see cracks and damage in it. You need to have your chimney checked by a professional to find out if there is any damage to the liner. Fumes and other toxic byproducts can pass through the cracks in the liner and can leak into your home.
It Has Been Installed for More than Twenty Years
Even with proper care and maintenance, chimney liners can last up to twenty years. It is recommended that after twenty years have passed, you need to change your liner. The liner will not last forever and with regular use, they start to lose its efficiency.
Is it Safe to Use Chimney Liners?
As long as they are properly installed and correctly used, chimney liners are safe to use. If you are using a wood-burning stove or gas fire, make sure that you follow the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer. Chimney liners must be regularly cleaned so that they function efficiently. You also need to make sure that you avoid using wood that contains moisture. Moreover, do not burn pre-treated timber in your fireplace because it can leave chemical residue on the liner.
Where to Purchase a Chimney Liner?
You can purchase a chimney liner at your local chimney store. They can provide you with the right type and size of liner that you need for your chimney. You can also avail a package that includes installation. No matter how tempting it is, you must avoid a DIY on your chimney liner especially if you do not have the right tools, skills, and experience. To ensure a correct job, you need to hire the services of a professional for the installation. You can also check out this article that discusses if you can have 2 fireplaces on one chimney. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Conclusion
You have reached the end of this article that discusses what happens in you do not have a chimney liner. We have found out that different issues can arise if your chimney does not have a liner. Without it, the mortar and bricks in your chimney are exposed and can get damaged over time. Aside from that, toxic byproducts can leak through the chimney and into your home. Make sure to have your chimney checked and have the right liner installed for safety and efficiency purposes. Thank you for reading!