Chimney relining installs a new liner inside your flue so combustion gases vent safely and your chimney meets current code. Grand Chimney Sweepers installs stainless-steel liners for wood and gas appliances throughout Crest Hill and Will County, correcting unlined, cracked, or deteriorated flues that put a home at risk.
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What chimney relining is & why it matters
The liner is the passage inside your chimney that carries smoke, heat, and combustion gases up and out of the house. It also protects the surrounding masonry and framing from that heat. When a liner is missing, cracked, or worn out, those gases — including carbon monoxide — can leak into the home, and intense heat can reach combustible materials. Relining restores a safe, correctly sized path for everything the chimney is meant to vent.
A relined flue also draws better, resists corrosion, and brings an older system up to modern safety standards. It is one of the most important repairs a chimney can receive.
Why unlined, cracked, or damaged flues are dangerous
A compromised flue is not a cosmetic issue — it is a safety one. Problems we commonly find include:
- No liner at all — older chimneys were sometimes built without one, leaving masonry and framing directly exposed to heat and gases.
- Cracked clay tiles — a chimney fire or age can split flue tiles, opening gaps that let heat and fumes escape into the structure.
- Deteriorated or corroded liners — acidic byproducts and moisture eat away at old liners until they no longer contain what passes through them.
- Wrong-sized flues — a flue that does not match the appliance drafts poorly and can allow dangerous byproducts to linger.
A chimney inspection with an interior camera scan is how we confirm the true condition of your flue before recommending relining.
Stainless-steel liners & code compliance
Most relining jobs use a stainless-steel liner, which resists corrosion, stands up to high heat, and works with a range of appliances. A properly installed liner is what brings the chimney into line with current code and manufacturer requirements. Cutting corners here is never worth it — the liner is the one component standing between combustion byproducts and your living space.
Once the flue is relined, we also check the top of the system, since a sound liner works best with proper chimney caps & crowns keeping water out.
Matching the liner to your appliance: wood vs. gas
The right liner depends on what the chimney serves, and the two are not interchangeable:
- Wood-burning — fireplaces and wood stoves produce creosote and high heat, so the liner must be sized and rated to handle that load and be swept regularly.
- Gas appliances — gas furnaces and fireplaces vent cooler, acidic, moisture-heavy gases that corrode the wrong materials, so the liner must be matched to that appliance and correctly sized for proper draft.
We size and specify every liner to the specific appliance it serves so the system drafts correctly and vents safely.
How our crew relines a chimney
Our relining process is methodical from start to finish:
- Inspect and camera-scan the existing flue to confirm relining is the right solution.
- Sweep and clear the flue so the new liner seats properly — see our chimney sweeping service.
- Select and size a stainless-steel liner matched to your appliance and flue.
- Install the liner with the appropriate insulation and top-and-bottom connections.
- Verify draft, finish the top of the system, and provide up-front pricing throughout.
Why choose Grand Chimney Sweepers
Relining is safety-critical work, and it rewards experience. Owner-operator Jason Lecter has spent 20+ years making sure chimneys vent the way they should, and our crew serves Crest Hill, Joliet, Lockport, Romeoville, Plainfield, Shorewood, New Lenox, Homer Glen, Mokena, and Channahon seven days a week. We explain what your flue actually needs, size the liner correctly, and never push work that is not warranted.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my chimney needs relining?
A camera inspection is the surest way. Cracked flue tiles, a missing or corroded liner, poor draft, or a flue that does not match your appliance are all signs relining may be needed.
Why is an unlined chimney dangerous?
Without a liner, heat and combustion gases — including carbon monoxide — can reach the surrounding masonry, framing, and living space. A liner keeps those byproducts safely contained and vented.
What kind of liner do you install?
We most often install stainless-steel liners, which resist corrosion and high heat and work with a range of wood and gas appliances.
Is a different liner needed for gas versus wood?
Yes. Wood and gas appliances vent very differently, so we size and specify the liner to the specific appliance to ensure safe venting and proper draft.
Does relining bring my chimney up to code?
A properly installed, correctly sized liner is what brings an older or damaged flue into line with current safety codes and manufacturer requirements.
Do I need to reline after a chimney fire?
Often, yes. Chimney fires can crack flue tiles and compromise an existing liner, so we inspect the flue with a camera and recommend relining when the damage warrants it.
How long does a stainless-steel liner last?
A quality stainless-steel liner, properly installed and maintained with regular sweeping and inspection, is built to serve for many years.
What does chimney relining cost?
It depends on the liner size, appliance, and flue condition. We provide clear, up-front pricing before any work begins — see our pricing page or call us for a quote.