Expert: James Ball - 1/16/2009

Question
Hi there, a few years ago I had a liner installed in my chimney. The company told me that once a liner is installed you don't need to have annual sweeping, since the liner prevents build up of that type of dirt. They suggested that I might want to get it inspected every 5 years or so but that it was up to me. There weren't any clear instructions around this and I didn't feel confident in their answers to my questions. First off, is it true that once a liner is installed cleaning is generally not needed (I have a gas boiler and I've been told that gas burns much cleaner anyway so there's even less chance of dirt)? And second, if no cleaning, then should I follow some sort of inspection schedule? Thanks.

Answer
Hello Robert, your vents and chimneys should be checked every year (may not need cleaning) by a certified sweep (www.csia.org) there you will be able to have a certified sweep take a first hand look to see  how this liner is doing and if it was installed correctly. it may never need cleaning (burning gas) but I would still have it checked every year
James