Insulated flue liners fitted in Kendale Lakes

A new liner still needs cleaning

A liner gives flue gases a sound passage, but it does not stop deposits from forming. Burning wood still leaves residue on the inside of the pipe. The DuraLiner manual includes maintenance guidance for that reason, with advice on inspection and cleaning.

Keep the liner's instructions with the appliance manual and follow them. Maintenance visits from our team can include the liner, the cap and the top plate. The manual also warns against relying on chemical cleaners in place of mechanical cleaning, and we follow that advice.

Line items a relining estimate should show

A clear relining estimate separates the parts of the job instead of pricing a single phrase. Compare proposals on these points rather than on the words reline chimney alone, because each one changes what you actually receive.

Anything outside these lines, such as crown or masonry repair, appears separately with its own price. We state every figure up front, so there are no hidden fees once the work begins.

• The liner system and its listing
• Insulation, where the listing requires it
• Top plate, cap and the connection at the bottom
• Preparation such as cleaning or tile removal

When relining is not the recommendation

Sometimes the assessment points away from relining. The lining may be repairable, the appliance may need a different vent, or the chimney structure may need attention first. A liner estimate in those cases would solve the wrong problem.

We explain the reason and the alternative. If the alternative is work we do, we describe it and price it. If it belongs to another trade, we say so and do not stretch our scope to cover it, because a clear boundary protects you. A clear no is as useful to you as a clear yes.

An existing chimney cap and a new liner

If the chimney already has a cap over the flue, it may need to come off for relining. A cap over a single flue is usually replaced by the liner's own cap. A cap covering several flues may stay if it clears the new top parts.

We explain what happens to the existing cap and whether it is reused. If it is damaged, replacing it is listed separately. The goal is one clear arrangement at the chimney top, described in the estimate before work begins. A cap that stays is checked for damage and fit.