Poured liners

[fraxinus]

I've posted a similar message before in response to another topic, but the many questions about chimney liners prompts me to create this thread. If you find yourself needing to line a masonry chimney, consider a poured liner if the process is available in your area. Unlike a stainless liner a poured one becomes an integral part of the chimney sealing any cracks, replacing missing mortar and greatly strengthening the chimney. Four years ago when I was faced with lining an old unlined 1870 chimney I chose the Supaflu system and was very pleased with the installation and result. The cost for a 60 foot chimney was roughly $1200 - comparable to stainless. The North American headquarters for Supaflu is located in Scarborough, ME. Their website list dealers all over the US and Canada. I have no connection whatever to the Supaflu company except as a very satisfied customer. I'm also aware that there is at least one other poured lining system (can't think of the name) which may be equally good.

 

[elkimmeg]

Thanks for the info and a reminder. There is another way to bring a chimney back to structural soundness and code.

I have witnessed the process and It really is a viable solution

 

[Rob From Wisconsin]

The house we bought came w/ a poured liner.
Apparently the previous owners found that their clay flue
had cracked, and this was the most effective fix.
We are happy w/ it - chimney drafts like a bandit,
and creosote build-up is very minimal.

 

[webbie]

That price seems off - 1200 for a 60 foot chimney?

I've always heard that this method is higher than stainless - but it is a great method. To do it right involved breaking out all the flue tiles and cleaning all the mess out first - that way the poured liner can integrate with the structure.

On the down side, if it is a chimney that moves a lot (expansion, etc.), it seems as if this method could crack....

I think some the effectiveness depends on the installer - get a good one, and you could have a 50-100 year job.

 

[BrotherBart]

The only sixty foot chimney I have ever seen was at a foundry. That would have to be something like a six story house.

 

[Corey]

Does seem a tad bit long, but I suppose if you started in the basement, went through 3 floors with 10-12' ceilings, a "walk-in" attic and then several feet above a high pitched roof, it might be possible. I wouldn't put it past the installer to just round up to the nearest 10' either.

I think I paid ~$20/ft for my stainless liner - and that was back before metal prices went through the roof, don't know what they run now.

 

[fraxinus]

You're correct about the chimney height - it was actually much closer to 40'- cellar through first floor, second floor, attic, 10 feet above roof line. I also forgot to mention that the process comes with a transferrable lifetime warranty. I know such warranties are often worth little, but this one does seem pretty escape-proof. The people who installed my liner said more than half their work was with chimneys containing cracked terracotta liners. They did not mention nor did I ask about the need to clean out the old tiles - if necessary this would no doubt add greatly to the cost because of the additional labor. The product is perfect for old brick chimneys which lack a liner of any kind and exterior chimneys because the poured liner is a much better insulator (500% better according to the company's literature).