A few weeks ago, the insert started smoking heavily during initial lighting. Once the fire really got going, it would stop. However, since the issue persisted, I swept the liner, which helped slightly. Yesterday, I went up to the roof and removed the cap to investigate, and I found that the liner is not properly attached to the chimney cap. I’m not sure when this failed, but I suspect it happened recently, around the time the back-smoking started.
I've attached some pictures for reference. The pictures also show the cap before removing with a lot of build-up, but after sweeping the liner again right after discovering this, very little creosote came out. So, I suspect the cap is that dirty due to the failed liner falling out. Are those gaps in the caulk between the plate and the chimney tile normal? I apologize if I am using the incorrect terms or names of the parts. I know some of the users here are a lot more experienced in this and some are actual professional sweepers and installers.
The stove and liner were installed around Feb 2023, so my question is: can this be repaired, or is a new liner recommended? Would a repair or replacement be covered under warranty from the installer since it seems to be an installation issue? Obviously, I’m not using the wood insert anymore until this is fixed, and I'm calling the installer tomorrow to schedule a visit. Some questions I might be asked, that last sweep was in Dec 2025, then again yesterday. Yesterday's sweep came out mostly clean compared to December. Wood is seasoned for 2 1/2 years. Insert is a BK Ashford 25.
Thanks everyone
![[Hearth.com] Insert Liner Repair or Replace?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/346/346760-b23a48c11fba47b5a8ee672de3371b2a.jpg?hash=Sdfs6DswZK "[Hearth.com] Insert Liner Repair or Replace?")
![[Hearth.com] Insert Liner Repair or Replace?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/346/346761-54b2d24ad25887764c6bc69579e7c0f4.jpg?hash=l6hjLv1zhB "[Hearth.com] Insert Liner Repair or Replace?")
![[Hearth.com] Insert Liner Repair or Replace?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/346/346762-e4b9be6da1dd2fa5d44af1eaafd25238.jpg?hash=6hqwSDlZ_q "[Hearth.com] Insert Liner Repair or Replace?")
![[Hearth.com] Insert Liner Repair or Replace?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/346/346763-66e2fc79fde9a6f2350cdb1931ba1e06.jpg?hash=pQH6VkJP6h "[Hearth.com] Insert Liner Repair or Replace?")
I've attached some pictures for reference. The pictures also show the cap before removing with a lot of build-up, but after sweeping the liner again right after discovering this, very little creosote came out. So, I suspect the cap is that dirty due to the failed liner falling out. Are those gaps in the caulk between the plate and the chimney tile normal? I apologize if I am using the incorrect terms or names of the parts. I know some of the users here are a lot more experienced in this and some are actual professional sweepers and installers.
The stove and liner were installed around Feb 2023, so my question is: can this be repaired, or is a new liner recommended? Would a repair or replacement be covered under warranty from the installer since it seems to be an installation issue? Obviously, I’m not using the wood insert anymore until this is fixed, and I'm calling the installer tomorrow to schedule a visit. Some questions I might be asked, that last sweep was in Dec 2025, then again yesterday. Yesterday's sweep came out mostly clean compared to December. Wood is seasoned for 2 1/2 years. Insert is a BK Ashford 25.
Thanks everyone
