When Should You Replace Your Commercial Chimney Liner?
Commercial chimney liners are critical to containing and guiding byproducts of combustion safely out of your building. However, over time, these liners can deteriorate due to age, and wear and tear, potentially compromising its purpose.
At Best Chimney Services, we have provided reliable and personalized chimney services in the Boston area since 1989. Our chimney technicians have years of experience and are dedicated to delivering excellent service. You can count on us to make sure your chimney is properly running. Give us a call for your residential and commercial chimney needs!
If you have a commercial chimney, then it may be time to replace your liner. Learn more below!
Why a Commercial Chimney Liner is Important and How it Works
Commercial chimney venting has several important functions, including:
Safety
Your chimney liner is in charge of protecting the interior walls of your chimney from high temperatures and harsh byproducts, guiding toxic gases out of the building. The liner helps reduce the risk of fire hazards and carbon monoxide leaks, so it’s very important that the liner is intact.
Durability
Chimney liners are made to withstand high temperatures and corrosive substances in order to protect the structure of the chimney. The durability comes from materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic. Without the liner, these high temperatures and byproducts would eat away at the masonry and result in dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.
Efficiency
Commercial boilers often require specialty vents in order to avoid soot buildup and condensation issues. With the proper size liner, you can promote efficient drafting to ensure smoke and gases are properly removed from the building.
Signs Your Commercial Chimney Liner Needs to be Replaced
Cracks
If you notice any cracks, gaps, or fractures in your liner, this is the most evident sign that your liner needs to be replaced. These cracks can allow dangerously high heat and gas to escape and get into your building.
Corrosion
Corrosion in metal chimney liners can weaken the liner’s durability, putting it at risk for inefficient venting. We recommend looking for signs of rust, discoloration, and deterioration around the pipe that leads from the boiler to the chimney and check whether or not it’s corroding.
Creosote Buildup
If you’re noticing frequent creosote buildup, this can be a sign that your commercial chimney liner is no longer withholding and expelling toxic gases. It’s important that you have your liner replaced immediately because the buildup of creosote can put you at risk for a chimney fire.
Poor Drafting
Proper draft has several key factors including flow capacity, boiler specifications, lateral run length, chimney height, and location of the stack in relation to the building envelope to name just a few. It is best to leave the investigating to the professionals to determine your specific lining needs.
Call Best Chimney Services for a New Chimney Liner
Your commercial chimney liner is a critical component to the functionality and safety of your building. If you’ve noticed any signs of damage like the ones we mentioned above, we urge you to give us a call to resolve the issue before it can get dangerous and costly.
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