Chimney Liner Installation

The liner is the flue's inner surface — it contains the heat and byproducts of combustion and keeps them away from the surrounding masonry and your home's framing. When a chimney has no liner, a failed one, or a new appliance that needs a different size, a proper liner installation is what makes the system vent safely.

Signs you may need chimney liner installation

• Your chimney has no liner or a deteriorated one
• You're installing a new stove, insert, or appliance
• A camera inspection found cracked or missing flue tiles
• You're changing fuels and the flue no longer fits the appliance
• There's been a chimney fire that damaged the liner

What we check first

Good work starts with looking. Before we recommend anything, here is what we examine:

• Current liner condition and whether it can be repaired or must be replaced
• The appliance and fuel to size the liner correctly
• Flue dimensions and any offsets in the run
• The condition of the surrounding masonry
• Termination and connection details

How the work goes

Materials & options

Stainless steel liners are a durable, widely used choice for wood, gas, and oil appliances and come in rigid and flexible forms for straight or offset flues. Cast-in-place and clay tile are other liner approaches. The right one depends on your appliance, fuel, and flue.

What can change the scope

Sizing is everything with a liner — too big or too small and the appliance won't vent right. Offsets in the flue, insulation needs, and the appliance type all affect the job. We size to the appliance rather than just the existing flue.

Missouri considerations

An unlined or failed flue lets combustion moisture into the masonry, and Missouri freeze-thaw does the rest. A sound liner keeps that moisture and heat contained, protecting both the chimney and the house.

Repair or replace?

A liner that's cracked, gapped, or wrong for a new appliance should be replaced. Some liners can be repaired instead of replaced, which we'll cover under relining. We size and spec to the appliance, not guesswork.

Keeping it in good shape

Have the liner inspected yearly, especially after heavy use or a chimney fire. Keeping it swept and dry is what makes a good liner last.

How the flue, liner, and damper work together

The flue is the passage that carries heat and combustion byproducts out of your home, and the liner is its inner shield — it protects the surrounding masonry and framing and helps the appliance vent correctly. When a liner cracks, gaps, or is the wrong size for a new appliance, heat and byproducts can reach places they shouldn't, which is why a camera inspection usually comes before any liner recommendation. Sizing matters as much as material: a liner has to match the appliance and fuel, not just fit the existing opening.

The damper controls that passage from below. A damper that won't seal lets your heated and cooled air escape up the chimney year-round; a rusted one is also a moisture clue, since it usually means water is getting past a failing cap or crown. Whether the answer is repairing a throat damper, adding a top-sealing damper, relining, or parging a rough smoke chamber, the goal is the same — a flue that drafts cleanly when you want it and seals tightly when you don't.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related reading from our blog

• Chimney Liner Basics for Missouri Homeowners
  Learn what chimney liners do, how clay and metal systems differ, and why inspection, appliance compatibility, sizing, and clearances matter.
• Stainless-Steel Chimney Liners: Questions to Ask
  Ask better questions about stainless liner sizing, alloy, insulation, tile removal, connections, listing, documentation, and appliance compatibility.
• How Often Should a Chimney Be Inspected in Missouri?
  Learn when St. Louis and Kansas City homeowners need chimney inspections, what different inspection levels cover, and which warning signs should not wait.