Fairfield, CT

Safe, Efficient Venting Starts With the Right Liner

Your chimney liner is the passageway that carries smoke and combustion gases safely outdoors. When clay tiles crack, mortar joints fail, or an old flue is mismatched to a modern appliance, heat and carbon monoxide can escape into walls and attic spaces. Fairfield Chimney Services Group installs stainless steel lining systems that restore a continuous, code-compliant flue sized for your fireplace, wood stove, gas insert, furnace, or water heater. The result: better draft, safer operation, fewer odors, and a chimney that lasts longer in Connecticut’s wet, freeze–thaw climate.

When Relining Is Recommended

• Cracked or broken clay tiles: Gaps allow heat to reach framing and can leak smoke or CO into living areas.
• Creosote glaze damage: A prior chimney fire or heavy Stage-3 buildup often compromises the tile system.
• Appliance conversions: Switching to gas/oil or installing a high-efficiency insert requires correct flue sizing and material compatibility.
• Poor draft or smoke spillage: Oversized flues cool gases too quickly; a new liner restores proper velocity and temperature.
• Water damage & deterioration: Spalled tiles, missing mortar, or rusted metal components signal the need for a new, continuous flue.

Stainless Steel Systems We Install

We select UL-listed stainless steel liners designed for the specific fuel you burn. For wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, we typically install rigid or heavy-gauge flexible 316L/316Ti stainless with insulation to keep flue gases warm and volatile. For gas and oil appliances, we match smooth-wall liners that resist condensation and corrosive by-products. Every system includes a properly transitioned top plate, storm collar, cap, and appliance connector for a sealed, continuous pathway from firebox to sky.

Insulation Matters—Here’s Why

An uninsulated liner loses heat fast, especially in an exterior Fairfield chimney exposed to winter winds. Cooler flue temperatures create sluggish draft, more creosote, and persistent smoke odor. Our liners are wrapped or poured with insulating materials rated for high temperatures. This stabilizes draft, reduces condensation, and protects nearby combustibles—key to both performance and code compliance.

The Relining Process

1. Camera Inspection: We perform a Level 2 scan to document defects and verify the flue path and dimensions.
2. Sizing & Engineering: We calculate required liner diameter based on appliance output, flue height, and venting tables.
3. Preparation: Old obstructions are cleared; tile offsets are addressed; thimbles and connectors are prepped.
4. Liner Installation: The stainless liner is lowered or pulled into place, secured at top and bottom, and connected to the appliance.
5. Insulation & Sealing: We wrap or pour insulation, set a top plate and storm collar, and install a cap for weather/animal protection.
6. Final Test & Photos: Draft is checked; we photograph the finished assembly and provide documentation for your records.

Relining Fireplaces vs. Relining Appliances

Fireplaces need liners sized for open combustion and the geometry of the smoke chamber—too small and smoke spills, too large and draft suffers. Inserts and stoves typically require a full-height, same-diameter liner from the appliance collar to the termination, with a sealed block-off plate at the throat to prevent heat loss into the smoke chamber. Furnaces and water heaters demand fuel-specific liners with correct slope, connectors, and dedicated flues for certain configurations. We’ll outline the correct approach for your exact setup.

Draft, Odor & Smoke Control

Many Fairfield homeowners call us about smoky fireplaces and persistent odors. A new, insulated liner can dramatically improve draft so smoke exits quickly, reducing creosote and odor. Paired with a quality cap and a properly shaped, parged smoke chamber, relining often eliminates the root causes of back-puffing and cold chimney smells that drift after damp weather.

Code & Insurance Considerations

Insurance carriers and real-estate transactions frequently require proof that a chimney is “continuous and code-compliant.” Our proposals reference applicable standards, and our completion packet includes photos and model information so you can satisfy buyer, lender, or insurer requirements. If your chimney suffered a documented flue fire or storm event, our report helps distinguish pre-existing wear from sudden damage.

Maintenance After Relining

A stainless steel liner lowers maintenance, but it doesn’t eliminate it. Annual inspections and periodic sweeping keep the liner performing at its best. For wood systems, burn seasoned hardwood and avoid smoldering fires. For gas/oil, ensure appliances are serviced on schedule so exhaust is clean and properly adjusted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical relining take?

Most single-flue residential relines are completed the same day once materials are on site. Complex offsets, multiple appliances, or masonry repairs can extend the timeline. We’ll provide a start-to-finish schedule with your quote.

Do you always remove the existing clay tiles?

Not always. Many liners are installed within the existing tile channel after clearing obstructions. Where tiles are collapsed or the path is too tight, selective tile removal may be required to achieve the correct liner size and a straight, continuous run.

Will relining fix a smoky fireplace?

Frequently, yes—especially when the existing flue is oversized or uninsulated. We evaluate other contributors too: cap design, smoke chamber shape, house pressure, and chimney height relative to rooflines.

What kind of warranty comes with the liner?

Our stainless systems include manufacturer warranties (often limited lifetime for the original owner when installed to spec) plus workmanship coverage from Fairfield Chimney Services Group. We’ll spell out terms in writing before the job begins.