When Should I Replace My Chimney Liner?
If you live in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, then you know how important it is to have heat in the long, cold winter. One way to stay warm this winter is with a fireplace. Although, having a fireplace does mean chimney cleaning and chimney maintenance. If you don’t have a chimney liner then you can also be at risk of other problems with your chimney. In this short guide, you will be informed when you should replace your fireplace liner. 
- Older fireplaces
If you have an older fireplace and do not remember ever changing out the liner, it is most likely time to do so. Usually, a chimney sweep will inform you if you need a new liner if they have seen a buildup of residue from burning wood or any cracks to the liner. Chimney repairs can be costly and may not completely fix the problem, so if your chimney sweep has advised replacing the liner, you should heed his or her warning.
- If you have a cracked flue
If you have an older fireplace or even if you don’t, liners can get cracked or have other damage. It is more common in older fireplaces because the liners were built using clay or other types of materials rather than stainless steel, which is what the liners are made out of nowadays. If you choose to keep using a cracked chimney liner, the soot can dissolve into the mortar and the joints and cause a potential fire.
- Replace clay liners
If you have a clay liner that is not cracked or damaged, it is still wise to replace it. Over the years, the breakdown of the wood and charcoal into soot can clog the chimney causing a carbon monoxide leak. It is best to replace the liner if you can by purchasing a stainless steel or cast-in-place liner.
- Liner? What liner?!
You are probably not saving a lot of money if you have a fireplace without a chimney liner. Occasionally no liners were installed in the past, but it has been found that liners help the wallet! A stainless steel liner which is the industry standard requires less labor and are available in a variety of sizes to fit your fireplace. A liner will give you higher temperatures in the flue, which is a good thing because it keeps the soot to a minimum and saves on your heating bill.
- Hire a professional
Just as you would call for a professional to perform HVAC maintenance, power washing, roofing fixes, simple remodeling, cleaning of the gutters, or exterior painting, you want to do the same when dealing with chimney cleaning and chimney maintenance. This is especially true if you are not comfortable with the task or run into any obstacles. It is always better to call the professionals than to attempt a task and then regret it. Make sure to call a Cincinnati handyman if you get into a sooty situation!
As you can see, there are multiple reasons you should replace your liner. Chimney cleaning and chimney maintenance are critical to do yearly, as you do not want a carbon monoxide leak or a backup of soot into your home. If you follow our advice on when you should replace your fireplace liner, your Cincinnati home will be cozy warm this winter!
- Published in Chimney Cleaning, Chimney Liners, Chimney Rebuilding, Chimney Repair, Chimney Sweep, Cincinnati Chimney Sweep, Uncategorized
Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Clean your Cincinnati Chimney
It can get downright cold here in Cincinnati, Ohio, so it is well worth it to have a working chimney to keep you nice and toasty warm. Like everything else, vents need love too and to perform chimney maintenance and chimney cleaning in the frigid winter temperatures would be foolhardy. That is why summer is the perfect time to clean your chimney. In this short guide, you will be informed of the top five reasons that summer is the best time to maintain and clean your chimney. 
- No frigid temperatures
The best thing about summer being the perfect time to clean the chimney is that there are no freezing temperatures to contend with. If you were to sweep the chimney in the winter, you would be up on the roof, possibly with snow and ice in your footpath. This can be very dangerous. Make sure to perform chimney cleanings in the summer to avoid both cold temps and dangerous situations.
- More daylight when on the roof
When you sweep your chimney in the summer rather than the winter you have more available sunlight to get the job done. This is particularly useful if you have hired a professional chimney service team as they have more daylight to get your property cleaned as they are booked with chimney cleanings, chimney repairs, and chimney maintenance weeks in advance.
- Extra time if repairs are needed
As with all other repairs and maintenance of your home including roofing fixes, HVAC maintenance, painting, cleaning of the gutters, remodeling, or power washing, you need to set aside extra time in case something goes wrong or an unforeseen situation arises. By having the chimney maintenance performed in the summer, you have a few extra months in case your chimney inspection deems repairs that were not expected.
- You are not currently using your chimney
The best time to inspect, clean, and fix the chimney is when it is not in use. If you have the chimney inspected and cleaned in the winter, there is a possibility that an issue can be discovered which would possibly cause you to lose your heat. Since Cincinnati winters can get frigid, you do not want to be without heat. Make sure to have your chimney inspected and cleaned in the summer to prevent this.
- Avoid odor
With the summer heat comes humidity. Humidity can mix with the soot in your chimney and cause an offensive and unpleasant smell that can enter your home and stink it up. It is best to have your chimney cleaned before the high humidity hits in the Cincinnati area to avoid the odor it can cause.
As you can see, there are multiple reasons to do your chimney cleaning and chimney maintenance in the summer months. Whether it is to avoid odors, add extra time, or avoid the cold, you can bet your chimney will be looking brand-spanking new. If you are not interested in cleaning your own chimney, there are professional services that can perform the task for you. If you follow our advice on the top five reasons that summer is the perfect time to clean your chimney, your smokestack will be burning bright and toasty warm this winter!
Welcome to Best Cincinnati Chimney
Welcome to the new website for Best Cincinnati Chimney. Even though our website is new, our team is not! We bring many years of service to the chimney and roofing business. Please give us a call if you have any questions or if you are in need of a quote.
David Caine
Owner