Chimney Liner Repair & Relining

A damaged liner is a safety issue — cracks and gaps let heat and combustion byproducts reach the masonry and the framing behind it. Depending on what a camera inspection shows, the fix is either a targeted repair or relining the flue. We match the approach to the actual damage.

Signs you may need chimney liner repair & relining

• A camera inspection found cracks, gaps, or spalled flue tiles
• You've had a chimney fire that may have damaged the liner
• The chimney draws poorly or you smell combustion odors
• The existing liner is deteriorating with age
• You're keeping the fireplace but the flue no longer passes inspection

What we check first

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

• The full flue interior on camera to map the damage
• Whether damage is localized (repairable) or throughout (reline)
• Cause of the damage — heat, moisture, or age
• Appliance and fuel to spec the correct reline size
• Surrounding masonry condition

How the work goes

Materials & options

Relining is commonly done with stainless steel for its durability across fuels. Some localized clay-tile damage can be repaired with tile-specific methods. The right approach depends on what the camera shows.

What can change the scope

Whether it's a repair or a full reline depends on how much of the flue is compromised. A single damaged area may be repairable; damage throughout the run means relining. We won't reline what can be repaired, or patch what really needs relining.

Missouri considerations

Missouri moisture and freeze-thaw work on flue tiles just like they do on exterior masonry — water in a hairline crack freezes and widens it. A camera inspection catches that before a small liner crack becomes a full reline.

Repair or replace?

Localized tile damage can sometimes be repaired. Widespread cracking, gaps, or fire damage calls for relining. The camera footage makes the choice clear, and we'll show it to you.

Keeping it in good shape

After relining or repair, keep up annual inspections and sweeping. A liner that's kept clean and dry, and matched to the appliance, is what keeps the system safe long term.

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 Crown Repair vs. Rebuild in Missouri
  Learn how crown condition, drainage, construction, and surrounding masonry help determine whether a Missouri chimney crown can be repaired or should be rebuilt.
• 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.