Why Is The Chimney Liner For My Oil-Fired Appliance So Important?
A chimney liner serves to contain and remove the byproducts of combustion while protecting your masonry and home from the dangers of these byproducts. Without a quality chimney liner, your appliance will not work as safely and efficiently as it was designed to and extensive structural damage can occur.
Some Of The Most Common Signs That A Chimney Needs To Be Relined Are:
- Cracking Clay Flue Tiles
- Crumbling Clay Flue Tiles
- Water-Damage Or Moisture Within The Chimney
- Missing Chimney Liner
- Improper Size
- Deteriorating Clay Tile Liners
Although clay tile liners can be incredibly durable, over time, vapor and the acidic byproducts of oil-fired appliances can cause the clay tiles to deteriorate and crumble, leaving dangerous holes within the liner. These holes can allow vapor and other byproducts of combustion to damage and deteriorate the masonry of the chimney and even the surrounding walls and ceilings. Having your chimney relined can protect you from these frustrating and expensive problems altogether.
Missing Chimney Liners
Perhaps your chimney was built without a liner (as many older chimneys are). If this is the case with your chimney, you will need to have a chimney liner installed for the safety and efficiency of your system.
Improperly-Sized Liners
Many newer oil-fired appliances are designed to work in conjunction with a much smaller flue size than appliances of the past. If you had a new oil-fired appliance installed with your existing flue liner, it is possible that they’re not compatibly-sized, which can cause all kinds of problems.
For one, a cool, oversized flue provides more areas for the already relatively-cooler gases of a modern oil-fired appliance to cool and settle. When dangerous byproducts like carbon monoxide cool and slow down instead of being ushered out of the chimney and out of the home, they have a much greater chance of settling on the walls of the liner or leaking back into the home and into your air supply.
Not only can an improperly-sized flue put your family’s health at risk, it can also significantly decrease your appliance’s efficiency and significantly increase its fuel usage. In other words, you’ll be spending a lot more money on fuel than you would need to if your flue was appropriately sized.
What Are My Options?
If your oil-fired appliance chimney is in need of a new liner, we can install either a stainless steel flue liner (UL listed and tested for safety) or a cast-in-place liner that is specifically designed for use with an oil-fired appliance. With a professionally-installed stainless steel or cast-in-place liner, you can expect years of safe and efficient appliance enjoyment. For more information on chimney relining, or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 631-863-2460!
Learn more about relining the chimney for your oil or gas appliance before hiring a professional to take care of any chimney relining issues.
