Serving Hartford, CT

We reline chimneys across Hartford—from the West End and South End to Asylum Hill and Blue Hills—tailoring liner size and insulation to your fireplace, stove, boiler, or furnace.

Why Relining Matters

The liner is your chimney’s inner roadway, guiding smoke and gases safely outdoors. Many older Hartford homes were built with clay tile liners that have since cracked, shifted, or never fit modern appliances. When tiles are damaged—or when a flue is oversized for a newer insert, stove, or furnace—draft suffers and heat can reach masonry or framing. A stainless steel liner restores a continuous, properly sized vent path, improving draft, reducing condensation, and protecting the structure that surrounds the flue.

Signs You May Need a Stainless Steel Liner

• Cracked or missing clay tiles: Found during Level 2 camera inspections or visible from the firebox.
• Flaking tiles and debris in the firebox: Pieces of tile or mortar indicate internal deterioration.
• Weak draft and smoke spillage: Oversized or rough flue surfaces slow gases and cool them too quickly.
• Appliance changes: Converting to a stove/insert, switching fuels, or installing a high-efficiency furnace.
• Evidence of moisture: Odors, efflorescence on masonry, or staining near the chimney.

What We Install

We specify UL-listed stainless steel liners—rigid where straight runs allow and flexible where offsets or tight spaces demand. For solid-fuel appliances (wood or pellet), we typically use 304 or 316 grade stainless with insulation wraps or pour-in insulation to maintain flue temperatures and reduce creosote formation. For oil and gas appliances, alloys are selected for corrosion resistance to acidic byproducts. Every liner system includes an engineered top plate, storm collar, and cap to shed water and keep wildlife out.

Insulation: The Quiet Workhorse

In Hartford’s winter, uninsulated flues cool rapidly. Insulating the liner keeps exhaust gases warmer, which strengthens draft, reduces condensation, and helps creosote burn off instead of sticking. Insulation also provides a buffer that helps maintain required clearances to combustibles. We’ll recommend the correct insulation method for your chimney’s dimensions and the appliance you’re venting.

Our Relining Process

From first measurement to final cap, our process is designed to be tidy, transparent, and efficient:

1. Evaluation & measurements: We verify flue height, offsets, and existing liner condition, and confirm appliance BTUs or fireplace dimensions.
2. Sizing & specification: We calculate cross-sectional area to match appliance requirements or fireplace openings and choose rigid or flexible stainless accordingly.
3. Site protection & access: Drop cloths, floor protection, and safe roof access are set before work begins.
4. Old liner prep: If tiles are severely offset or collapsed, we may remove sections or use specialized tools to create a continuous path.
5. Liner insertion: Rigid sections are joined and lowered; flexible liners are guided carefully through offsets.
6. Insulation install: Wraps or pour-in materials are fitted evenly for consistent thermal performance.
7. Connections & termination: We attach the liner to the appliance or smoke chamber with proper adapters, then seal the top with a plate, storm collar, and cap.
8. Final checks & documentation: We verify draft, check clearances where accessible, photograph the install, and review maintenance guidance.

Relining for Fireplaces vs. Stoves/Inserts

Open fireplaces typically require a liner sized to the firebox opening to maintain adequate draft; inserts and stoves require liners matched to their tested flue collar sizes. We ensure transitions are smooth and airtight—smoke-chamber parging, top-sealing dampers, and block-off plates are used where appropriate to prevent heat loss into the chimney cavity and to optimize performance.

Relining for Boilers & Furnaces

High-efficiency oil and gas appliances can produce cooler, more acidic exhaust that attacks masonry and clay tiles. Stainless steel liners resist this corrosion and help condensate evacuate safely. We size liners to the appliance’s input and draft requirements so you get steady performance and fewer nuisance shutdowns.

Addressing Moisture and Odors

A new liner works best when the chimney top is properly protected. We evaluate and replace caps, repair or rebuild the crown, and seal gaps at the flashing to keep rain out. These steps prevent the very moisture that can lead to odors, masonry staining, and freeze-thaw damage.

What It’s Like on Installation Day

Most single-flue relines in Hartford, CT are completed in a day. We arrive on time, stage tools neatly, and keep pathways clean. Some systems—especially tall chimneys, multiple offsets, or complex transitions—may take longer; we’ll outline timing in your estimate. When we leave, your hearth will be clean, the liner capped and documented, and you’ll have clear guidance on break-in fires or appliance start-up.

Care & Maintenance of Stainless Liners

Stainless liners are durable, but they do require basic care: annual inspections, sweeping to remove soot or creosote as needed, and periodic checks of the cap and top plate. Burn only seasoned wood in solid-fuel systems; avoid trash and treated lumber. If you notice performance changes—like slow start-up draft or unusual odors—schedule a visit before peak season.

Frequently Asked Questions