Expert: Bart Ogden - 9/2/2007

Question
We recently had a chimney sweep clean our fireplaces (three stacked on three floors and built in 1994) that share a common chimney (three separate flues) and he showed us a number of problems in each of the chambers (cracked areas, regular bricks used as spacers, parging not done properly in angles, etc.) and indicated that the fireplace flues needed to be rapaired and were not safe to use.  His company recommends the Guardian chimney liner ($13,685) to repair all three fireplaces.  I had a second company come and give me their opinion (they confirmed that repairs were needed to all three liners) and they recommend stainless steel Ventinox stainless steel liners at a cost of $9,750.  The Guardian company doesn't recommend stainless and the stainless steel company doesn't think the Guardian system is the best solution.  Would value your opinion on this.  Thank you for any advice you may be able to give me.  Ken Millen

Answer
Hi Ken,

We typically use Ventinox 316ti alloy stainless steel with Thermix insulation.

I know of several people out of my area that are using the Guardian lining system and they are happy with it.

Both systems are listed for chimney relining repair.  The biggest issues with the stainless steel are to make sure the company uses the correct insulation and addresses the smoke chamber.  We recommend parging with Chamber Tech 2000.

The Guardian system should include carving the smoke chamber area out, which leave a parged smoke chamber when complete.

Two things to check for is membership in the National Chimney Sweep Guild and CSIA Certified Chimney Chimney Sweeps or NFI Certified Technicians actually doing the work.  

You can check for current NCSG membership at www.ncsg.org.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com