When is a chimney liner required

Click here to view the guidance document. Skip to content Fuels. Biomass Maintenance. Chimney Sweep. Always ensure that you engage the services of a professional chimney sweep. There are several different types of chimney liners that are suitable for different uses and available at a range of price points. The entry level for chimney liners is stainless steel, which is the most cost-effective, but with a limited lifespan. Pumice chimney liners are an ideal solution for a new build property.

Pumice is a high-performing insulator, will withstand high temperatures and is easy to install. The Furanflex thermosetting resin lining system is a relative newcomer to the market, but comes with many benefits. Chimneys catch fire for a number of reasons. The most common of which is poor maintenance. Sweeping your chimney flue regularly will remove any cobwebs and anything dropped by birds or other combustible materials that could cause a chimney fire.

If you are installing a chimney in a new build property and you intend to use it for an open fire, woodburning stove or gas fire, then the chimney does need to be lined to comply with document J of current building regulations.

Some chimney liners can be replaced. Stainless steel chimney liners can in a lot of cases be removed and replaced with a new liner. With other lining systems such as cast-in situ where the original chimney flue is lined with a cement and pumice liner that is cast-in situ it is very difficult to break out of the flue.

It is possible to put another liner inside a cast-in situ flue but this will inevitably reduce the size of the flue and may affect the draw of the flue. The purpose of a chimney is to take the products of combustion smoke and gasses from the appliance to the atmosphere outside the building. At the same time, to draw air for combustion into the appliance.

This movement of combustion air and exhaust is called draft. To keep the pressure conditions favourable, we need a tall column of warm air inside the chimney, and cooler air outside. The warm air will tend to rise, drawing the exhaust from the appliance out. As air exits the chimney, fresh air for combustion is drawn into the appliance.

Yes, depending on the cowl or chimney pot that you have fitted. Systems are available that will help to reduce the amount of rain that can get down the chimney. It is not possible to totally prevent rain from coming down a chimney that is in use, as if you have an opening to allow the smoke to escape safely, it is possible that rain may get in. Yes it can. Static air within a chimney can cause condensation. Also, any blockage in a chimney can act like a sponge for water that may be getting into the chimney.

A survey by a chimney professional may be able to show if a blocked chimney is causing damp. Yes a chimney can be blocked off, but you must still maintain some air movement through the flue to prevent condensation. If you are thinking of blocking off a chimney it is always a good idea to ask a chimney professional for advice.

Are chimney liners safe? How long will a chimney liner last? Should I replace my chimney liner? Firstly, you need to be aware that a chimney liner is not to be used in place of a suitable chimney — if your chimney is damaged, you will still need to get it repaired even if you have a chimney liner. Secondly, while not mandatory, flue liners are highly recommended by most stove installers, and for good reason. Along with offering improved safety, cleanliness and efficiency, one of the main benefits of fitting your stove with a flue liner is also better performance.

Pretty much all log burners perform better with the help of a flue liner — you will experience less issues with draw, drafts, lighting your fire and keeping a good burn going. So, while you can install a log burner without a flue liner, it is best not to. A flue liner will serve you well in the long run by protecting your chimney and saving you money from repairs that may result from not using one.

Shop Wood Burning Stoves Now. While it is not a legal requirement to have your chimney lined, if you do choose to do so, then there are regulations you must follow to make sure you do it safely. One of these is the size of flue liner you use with your stove. If you are buying a new stove, the manufacturer should state what size flue liner to use with it.

Always use the recommended flue size for your specific log burner — never use one smaller than required , as this is a serious safety hazard. The size of the stove collar does not necessarily correspond to the size of flue liner you need.

When it comes to length, you need to ensure you have a flue liner long enough to reach from the top to the bottom of your chimney. A chimney sweep should easily be able to measure your chimney length for you — just make sure you let them know you want it doing before they start the sweep. To make things easier, when you order a flue liner pack with your stove from Direct Stoves, we ensure you receive the correct diameter liner and necessary adapter — just choose from the drop down when ordering your stove!

Back in the s, chimneys were lined with clay. Today, most chimneys are being lined with flexible steel liners. The cost of lining your chimney is very much dependent on what diameter flue liner you need, how long you require it and what grade you go for. Overall, fitting a chimney liner to use with your stove is a wise decision!