flu liner

Betsy_2

My house was built in 1916.
Getting a new boiler.
One contractor included a flu liner.
Two said they don't put them in for boilers.
The water heater vents into the same flu.
Both the old boiler and the water heated had CM readings.
That's why one contractors wants to line the flu.
Also - I did have raccoons in the same chimney but in the flu to my fireplace. Gone now. Caps installed. Unless they can bend the wire, which I think they can!

Bids all end up "apples and oranges."

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Some places require that brick flues be relined before new equipment is installed--but not everywhere.

New equipment generally operates with lower flue temperature than old equipment and it's easier for water in the flue gasses to condense on the brick--when this happens it can quite rapidly eat the inside of the flue--particularly the mortar.

IF the chimney has an outside wall exposed to the weather, it really is a best to re-line as it takes even longer for the flue to heat up and stop condensing water. If the chimney is fully internal it's more of a "judgment call".

Personally, I'd probably say "line it"--as it's something that will likely have to be done some day. Those old flues were designed for burning coal. You might want to ask the one why he included and the other why he didn't.

John Mills_3

National Fuel Gas Code

would call for lining a brick chimney. The acidic flue gases of today's higher efficiency equipment will chew up that chimney in no time. Also with a draft damper, you don't have house air keeping that chimney warm 24 hours a day.

We run into that all the time around here. Don't mention the liner, have a lower bid and get the job. Then hope it doesn't haunt you in the future

Matt Undy

The cooler and lower volume of gases formt he higher efficency equipment won't draft properly in that huge old chimney. It also isn't lined at all if it is that old. It needs a liner both to draft properly and for safety in case of loose mortar or bricks.

Matt

Brian_24

If you are not installing a condensing boiler, in which case you can't use a masonary chimney any way you do not need a liner. New equipment when properly tuned will not condense in the flue. Also if the chimney is over sized how does the water heater work all summer? All a chimney liner does is catch the moisture before it gets to the boiler or furnace. Just hiding the problem. If the chimney is in poor shape abandon it. don't bother with a liner.
Good luck,
Brian

Matt Undy

If I'm not mistaken the water heater works in the summer because the outdoor tempurature is nearly the same or greater than the indoor tempurature. Also since the surface of the chimney is warmer a lower duepoint of the gasses in the chimney will not cause condensation.

Isn't the liner a code requirement in most areas when the chimney doesn't have a tile liner?

Matt

Ed_13

Chimney Liner

Betsy,

Some of the advice you got on this thread was very good, and some was not. I do not want to start a problem discussion here so,,,

If you need some advice regarding your chimney e-mail me & I will provide my phone number so you can call to discuss.

e a carey h v a c @ adelphia . net (Remove The Spaces)

Regards

Ed Carey

Ed_13

Chimney Liner

Betsy,

Some of the advice you got on this thread was very good, and some was not. I do not want to start a problem discussion here so,,,

If you need some advice regarding your chimney e-mail me & I will provide my phone number so you can call to discuss.

e a carey h v a c @ adelphia . net (Remove The Spaces)

Regards

Ed Carey

Ed_13

Chimney Liner

Betsy,

Some of the advice you got on this thread was very good, and some was not. I do not want to start a problem discussion here so,,,

If you need some advice regarding your chimney e-mail me & I will provide my phone number so you can call to discuss.

e a carey h v a c @ adelphia . net
(Remove The Spaces in the address)

Regards

Ed Carey

Ed_13

Chimney Liner

Betsy,

Some of the advice you got on this thread was very good, and some was not. I do not want to start a problem discussion here so,,,

If you need some advice regarding your chimney e-mail me & I will provide my phone number so you can call to discuss.

e a carey h v a c @ adelphia . net

(Remove The Spaces in the address)

Regards

Ed Carey

Ed_13

Chimney Liner

Betsy,

Some of the advice you got on this thread was very good, and some was not. I do not want to start a problem discussion here so,,,

If you need some advice regarding your chimney e-mail me & I will provide my phone number so you can call to discuss.

e a carey h v a c @ adelphia . net

(Remove The Spaces in the address)

Regards

Ed Carey

Ed_13

Chimney Liner

Betsy,

Some of the advice you got on this thread was very good, and some was not. I do not want to start a problem discussion here so,,,

If you need some advice regarding your chimney e-mail me & I will provide my phone number so you can call to discuss.

e a carey h v a c @

adelphia . net

(Remove The Spaces in the address)

Regards

Ed Carey

Ed_13

Chimney Liner

Betsy,

Some of the advice you got on this thread was very good, and some was not. I do not want to start a problem discussion here so,,,

If you need some advice regarding your chimney e-mail me & I will provide my phone number so you can call to discuss.

e a carey h v a c @

adelphia .

net

(Remove The Spaces in the address)

Regards

Ed Carey

John Mills_3

Scary

Better tell 2 of our customers that. Tile lined, brand new boilers, had water ooooozing out of the flue. Both outside chimneys, 1 had water heater, the other didn't. Amazing how bad the condensation was. We've seen quite a few chimneys condensing because an orphaned water heater was left alone in them. The water heater doesn't condense in the summer because the chimney is nice & warm.

I guess those who don't believe in liners can make up their own codes but the pros that write the National Fuel Gas Code and the manufacturers' instructions sure disagree.

Brian_24

Ever read the disclaimers in the code book and gama tables? Basicly says it is up to the installer to make sure the chimney work and they accept no responsabilty for there tables. A properly tuned 80% draft induced appliance put more heat into the chimney than a draft hood equiped appliance FACT. Also at what temperature do yuo have to start running your furnace or boiler to insure proper water heater operation? Can't seem to find that in the code book or instalation manual. JMHO.
Brian

Unknown

Go with the flu liner

especially if you have had Carbon Monoxide problems with the old system with out the liner.

It is not a good idea today to put equipment into an unlined chimney. It is also important to read the manufacturers instructions as to what is required.

After over 40 years in this industry and recently seeing all the problems a lack of a liner can cause I simply tell people to put them in on every job.