If you’ve used a chimney for a considerable amount of time, you may be knowledgeable about chimney liner kits.
These are basic components necessary for the smooth functioning of a chimney. Being a part of a chimney system, the lining only functions effectively when all its parts are in place and functioning well.
Speaking of chimney lining kits, there are several to consider.
This article highlights all of such and also clearly states the uses of each kit.
To understand our discussion, you’ll need to consider the fact that the chimney works as a system. So, every part or component must be in good working condition to guarantee the efficiency of the system.
About Chimney Liner Kit
When it comes to chimney liner kits, there are several to consider. These include a top clamp, protective sleeve, flex flue liner, and top plate.
Other flexible chimney liner kits include cement & rope, register plate, nose cone, flue pipe, and the adapter.
These kits may make little sense to you as long as we don’t discuss what each of them is designed for. You don’t have to worry as we’ve got you covered.
As expected, each of these chimney liner kits serves a function.
Functions Served by a Chimney Liner
As part of the liner system, the overall function of the system will have to be stated for a better understanding of its parts. There are three main functions provided by chimney liners.
These include providing appropriately sized flues for enhanced efficiency of appliances.
Other functions include protection from heat transfer, and also protection of masonry from combustion byproducts. Let’s have a look at each of these functions before discussing chimney lining kits.
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Providing Appropriately Sized Flues for Enhanced Appliance Efficiency
Chimney liners connect appliances to exits through which combustion byproducts are released.
Wood and gas heating appliances need to be hooked to the right flue sizes. This significantly enhances their operations. Without the right flue size, you might end up having a creosote-laden flue system.
Creosote buildup is only part of the problem. Other issues you might face include excessive production of carbon monoxide which is very poisonous.
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Protection from Heat Transfer
One of the key benefits of chimney liners is that they prevent the transfer of heat to combustible structural components.
With this important lining, heat is contained within the flue system thus enhancing safety. A flue system that’s unlined will lead to heat transfer to adjacent woodwork.
This can easily ignite into a fire within a short time.
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Protection of Masonry from Combustion Byproducts
Byproducts of combustion are known to be highly corrosive when in contact with masonry.
Without the lining, the usable life of your chimney is significantly cut down or limited. How so? Flue gases are known to be corrosive.
They’ll steadily corrode your chimney mortar from the inside out. All of that is prevented by the chimney lining.
Best Chimney Liner Kits To Buy
Chimney lining is a vital action that serves to promote the functionality and efficiency of a chimney. In carrying out this procedure, the right type of tools or kits needs to be used.
Only when these are obtained do you have a successful lining job. The process of lining a chimney is best handled by a chimney sweep.
Now, it’s important to note that chimney lining kits come in different materials. There are those made of clay, metal, and ceramic.
These are part of the conduit system that helps vent out combustion byproducts. We’ll be more focused on discussing stainless steel lining kits as these tend to be the most common.
Chimney lining kits differ by design. You’ll find lots of designs that fit your particular needs.
These kits include the round chimney metal liner, connectors, top plate, and rain cap. There are sub-types of some of these chimney kits as you’ll find out shortly.
Let’s discuss each of these lining kit categories.
i. Top Clamp
As the name suggests, the top clamp is used for holding or clamping the protection sleeve to the flue.
In other words, this kit is used to hold the flue in position. As earlier stated, being part of a system, the top clamp is installed together with the protection sleeve and the top plate.
As a unit, these kits or components serve to hold or support the weight of the chimney liner at the top of the chimney stack. This prevents the flue from falling back through the top plate.
Now, the top plat is the base upon which the clamp rests. More on that will be discussed shortly.
ii. Protective Sleeve
True to its name, the protective sleeve serves to protect the flue liner.
To understand its function, you’ll need to consider the fact that the protective sleeve needs to be inserted into the lining or flue liner to prevent it (flue liner) from being crushed by the top clamp.
The top clamp needs to be fastened or tied to the flue liner. As such, to ensure a good grasp, there needs to be a protective sleeve in place that’s rigid and helps the clamp lock or hold the flue liner in place.
Remember, the chimney liner is flexible and needs to be held in place.
iii. Flex Flue Liner
The flex flue liner attaches to the stove and goes all the way up the chimney.
This is the component that needs to be held in place by the other kits mentioned above. It connects to the stove outlet and is held above the chimney by the top plate the clamp and the protection sleeve.
It serves as the exhaust pipe through which combustion gases escape the stove. To ensure it works properly, the flex flue liner like other chimney lining kits needs to be installed by a chimney expert.
When the chimney liner installation or replacement is less than perfect, it will only result in malfunction which can lead to further problems.
iv. Top Plate
Without the top plate, the chimney liner installation won’t be complete.
This is a key component that provides a rigid base upon which the top clamp rests. It’s mostly made of galvanized steel but can be found in other metal forms.
As expected, the top plate, like the other chimney lining kits mentioned above works as a system and must be coupled or installed by a licensed and experienced chimney professional.
v. Cement & Rope
When it comes to fastening the stove pipe, the flue adapter, as well as the stove outlet, cement, and rope, are the favorite kits used. Here, there needs to be a tight seal between these parts (that is, the stove pipe, flue adapter as well as stove outlet).
As always, we recommend that this procedure be carried out by a pro. This gives you added confidence in addition to ensuring that an excellent installation is performed.
Not every cement type is used for such a procedure as heat is involved. You won’t have to worry about the specific type to use as long as a pro is involved.
vi. Register Plate
This looks similar to the top plate, only that it’s designed to serve a different function.
Simply put, the register plate serves the function of sealing the chimney base, thus preventing chimney debris from getting or falling into the stove.
What more? The register plate also serves to prevent draft issues.
So, where is this chimney lining kit located? It’s found at the neck of the stove. That is, at the neck of the stovepipe projecting upwards.
vii. Nose Cone
The nose cone comes in handy during the installation of the chimney liner. So which part of the chimney does it sit? It’s simply used to guide the liner when it’s being fed down the chimney.
It’s connected to the liner end and guided down.
While you may not perform such installation yourself, it’s important to understand what goes on during the process.
viii. Flue Pipe
The flue pipe is part of the chimney liner kit that connects to the stove outlet.
This is the same outlet through which the register plate enters through. The other end of the flue pipe connects to the flue liner with the help of an adapter.
ix. Adapter
The adapter is another chimney liner accessory or kit that connects the flexible flue liner to the flue pipe. This serves an important function as it ensures that the chimney lining properly expels combustion gases.
x. Rain Cap
The rain cap is located at the very top of the chimney.
It sits above and helps keep out water from getting into the chimney liner. This kit is essential to have on your chimney as failure to install such only leads to moisture damage.
Also, your appliances may get damaged in the process.
There are different designs, sizes, and shapes of rain caps to consider. The type installed will depend on your liner type and size among other things.
So far, it’s evident that the different liner kits serve a function. As key components, the efficiency of your chimney depends on them.
xi. Connectors
Chimney lining connectors usually come in two variants; vertical connectors and tee connectors. So, what are the similarities and differences between these two?
Vertical chimney liner connectors mostly connect to the top of fireplace inserts. Here, it’s clear that inserts work best with this type of connector.
Such connection is held in place by a band or clamp.
This is tightened to ensure there aren’t leaks in combustion gases or byproducts as well as drafting. Tee connectors son the other hand are best used for freestanding stoves.
The tee connector enters horizontally to the chimney or back of the stove.
For this chimney lining kit to be held in place, the tee cap needs to be firmly screwed to the tee body.
Depending on the design, the snout band clamp will go around the exterior of the tee body. There needs to be a proper installation of the connector, as well as every other component for the system to function properly.
xii. Round Chimney Metal Liner
As stated earlier, chimney liners are made of different materials. Apart from round metal liners, there are also cast-in-place liners as well as clay tile liners.
This is the conduit pipe through which combustion byproducts escape the chimney. They also help with drafting which promotes proper combustion.
The metal chimney liner tends to be the easiest to install and maintain as it’s flexible. Also, the installation process doesn’t take as long. You’ll find metal chimney liners in aluminum or stainless steel variants.
One advantage of these is that their life cycles are quite long.
Are All Chimney Lining Kits Similar?
It largely depends on your chimney type. Chimneys perform similar functions. However, there may be alterations in the design and other similar stuff. You’ll have to find out your type of chimney.
Every chimney also has a lining. As such these components may differ slightly.
These chimney lining kits consist of the basics. Now, you should have no difficulty identifying them or the functions they serve or perform.
We’ll still stress the importance of having your chimney liner coupled or installed by a pro.
In Conclusion
You must seek professional advice when buying your chimney lining kits.
This helps you get the right type for your chimney system. You can’t afford to have your chimney malfunctioning on account of the wrong type or substandard kit installed.
The installation process also needs to be handled by a licensed chimney contractor. Finding the right professionals help ensure your chimney remains in top shape.
Chimney lining kits have been discussed with a focus on types and designs among other things. With the information above, you should be able to go for what best fits your needs.