Flue repair or relining, decided in Harbor Beach

The top tile above the crown

The top section of the flue usually rises a little above the crown and takes rain, sun and wind directly. It is exposed in a way the tiles below are not. Because it is reachable from the roof, it is also the tile that can most easily be replaced on its own.

We check the top tile and the joint below it during every flue assessment. If it is cracked, local replacement may be enough, provided the tiles below are sound. The estimate says what we saw below the top tile and how confident we are about it.

Lines to expect in a flue repair estimate

A useful flue repair estimate breaks the job into its parts. That makes it possible to compare proposals and to see what the price covers. Look for these lines in any estimate you receive for a damaged clay lining.

If a line is missing, ask about it. Our estimates list each of these where they apply, and state the price of each before you approve anything.

• Cleaning and removal of glazed deposits
• Removal of loose tile or mortar ridges
• The repair method and product named
• Curing guidance and a final visual check

A tile that has lost its support

The code expects flue tiles to be supported on all sides. A tile whose joint has washed out or whose masonry has shifted can lose that support and settle out of line. A displaced tile can catch deposits and block tools.

We look for tiles that sit out of line with those above and below. A displaced tile usually rules out resurfacing at that point, because the surface is no longer continuous. The estimate explains how it would be dealt with. Tiles that have moved are marked by position in the findings.

Changing fuel in a repaired flue

A flue that once carried wood smoke may later be asked to vent a gas-fired appliance instead. Before that change, gas code rules want the old passage checked and its solid-fuel residue removed. The state of the clay lining is a central part of that check.

If a fuel change is planned, tell us before the repair. The repair method has to suit the appliance that will use the flue, and the flue size has to match its manual. The estimate names the appliance the repair was planned for.