Cracked flue tiles, post-fire damage, oil-to-gas conversion, or simply an old chimney that needs modernizing — we install code-compliant stainless steel liners that last 50+ years.
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The Basics
The most important — and most invisible — part of your chimney system.
Chimney relining is the installation of a new internal channel (the "liner") inside your existing chimney. The liner is what actually carries combustion gases from your firebox or furnace up through the chimney and safely out of your home.
Most chimneys built before 1990 use clay tile liners — stacked rectangular ceramic sections that line the inside of the masonry. Tiles work well when intact, but they crack, separate, and deteriorate over decades. Modern relining replaces failed clay tiles with continuous stainless steel — a single seamless tube that won't crack, separate, or fail.
A cracked liner allows carbon monoxide — odorless, colorless, deadly — to leak into your home through gaps in the masonry. It also allows extreme heat to reach wood framing, which can ignite hours or days later through a process called pyrolysis. The CDC reports 400+ unintentional CO deaths annually in the U.S. — many caused by failed chimney liners.
When You Need It
Relining isn't optional in any of these scenarios — it's a safety requirement.
Tiles that have cracked, spalled, or shifted (visible only via camera inspection). Once tile integrity fails, the entire flue must be relined — patch repair doesn't work.
Chimney fires generate temperatures over 2,000°F that crack tile liners through thermal shock — even when no visible damage exists from below. Always reline after a fire.
Switching to high-efficiency gas requires liner downsizing. Original oil-furnace flues are too large for modern gas appliances and cause condensation damage.
Water dripping into your firebox or furnace from above means a damaged liner allowing water past the cap. Often combined with tile failure.
Persistent smoky smells from the chimney mean combustion gases are escaping the flue and entering living areas — a serious carbon monoxide risk.
HD camera inspections often reveal liner damage invisible from below. Real-estate transactions and insurance claims frequently require relining as remediation.
Comparison
Three modern options. Here's why we recommend stainless steel almost always.
Stainless steel relining has become the industry standard for three reasons:
How We Work
Every relining job follows the same proven sequence — designed for safety, code compliance, and lasting results.
HD camera scan to confirm liner failure and document existing conditions. Precise measurements of flue dimensions, height, and any obstructions.
Complete sweep of the flue to remove all creosote, debris, and any loose tile fragments. The new liner needs a clean path to install properly.
Custom-cut stainless steel liner lowered from the top of the chimney down through the entire flue. Connected to your appliance at the bottom.
Insulation wrapped around the liner (when applicable) and top plate installed to seal the chimney top. Prevents water entry and improves efficiency.
New stainless steel cap installed. Top-sealing damper if upgrading. Final draft test and full system inspection. Written documentation provided.
Real Work, Real Results
Real chimneys, real installations. Every job documented from start to finish.
The connection between the liner and the smoke chamber is where many installations fail. Ours are sealed with refractory cement for permanent integrity:
Honest Pricing
Transparent ranges based on actual jobs. Free written estimate before any work begins.
Single-flue stainless steel liner installation for average residential chimneys (under 25 feet).
Insulated stainless steel liner — better efficiency, masonry protection, and faster heat-up. Recommended for wood-burning.
Multiple flues, chimneys over 30 feet, or systems requiring resizing for oil-to-gas conversion.
Pricing varies based on chimney height, flue dimensions, fuel type, and access requirements. All estimates are free, written, and no-obligation.
Special Application
If you're switching to gas heating, you almost certainly need a new liner. Here's why.
St. Louis homeowners are increasingly converting from oil to high-efficiency gas furnaces. It's a great choice for fuel costs and efficiency — but it requires chimney liner replacement in nearly all cases.
Original oil-burning furnaces vented through large flues sized for high-temperature, less acidic exhaust. Modern high-efficiency gas appliances produce:
The result: oversized old flues develop persistent water condensation that eats away at masonry and corrodes anything metal. Without a properly-sized liner, you'll face masonry damage within 2-5 years of conversion.
For gas conversion, we install a 304 stainless steel liner sized to match your new appliance specifications. The smaller, smoother liner:
Most code inspectors require liner replacement as part of gas conversion permitting. We coordinate directly with HVAC contractors to ensure compatibility.
Coverage
Code-compliant relining across all of St. Louis County and St. Charles County.
Related Services
Common Questions
Everything St. Louis homeowners ask before booking relining work.
Chimney relining in St. Louis ranges from $2,000 to $6,000+ depending on chimney height, flue size, and liner type:
Standard liner (single flue, under 25 feet): $2,000-$3,500
Insulated liner (recommended for wood-burning): $3,000-$4,800
Multi-flue / tall systems: $4,500-$8,000+
We provide free written estimates with no obligation.
Common signs include:
• Cracked or shifted flue tiles (visible only via camera inspection)
• Persistent smoke odors in the home
• Water entering through the flue
• Recent chimney fire damage
• Failed Level II inspection
• Switching from oil to gas heat
A camera scan is the only reliable diagnostic — we provide them with every estimate.
A chimney liner is the inner channel that carries combustion gases from the firebox up through the chimney to the outside. It serves three critical purposes:
1. Protects masonry and home framing from extreme heat
2. Prevents toxic gases like carbon monoxide from leaking into the home
3. Optimizes draft for efficient combustion
A failed liner is a serious safety hazard — not a cosmetic problem.
Stainless steel — modern industry standard. Durable (50+ years), code-compliant for all fuel types, fast installation. Lifetime warranty.
Cast-in-place — poured cement liners. Work for specific applications but require longer installation. Mostly used for historic restoration.
New clay tile — largely obsolete. Tiles will fail again. Only used for historic preservation requirements.
We almost always recommend stainless steel.
Switching from oil to gas (or installing a high-efficiency gas furnace) changes flue gas characteristics significantly.
Modern high-efficiency gas appliances produce cooler, more acidic exhaust that condenses inside oversized old flues, eating away at masonry. Code requires a properly-sized stainless steel liner for gas furnace installations to ensure safe venting.
Most stainless steel relining jobs are completed in 1-2 days:
Day 1: Chimney cleaning, sizing measurements, and liner installation
Day 2 (if needed): Insulation packing, top plate installation, and damper/cap fitting
Cast-in-place relining takes 3-5 days due to curing time.
Yes — UL 1777 listed stainless steel liners are the most common modern relining solution and are code-compliant in all U.S. jurisdictions for wood, gas, and oil applications.
We use 316Ti stainless steel for wood/oil applications and 304 stainless for gas applications, matching the appropriate alloy to your fuel type.
No — properly sized relining typically improves draft and efficiency.
Modern stainless steel liners are smoother than original clay tiles, reducing creosote buildup and improving airflow. We size the liner specifically for your appliance to optimize performance.
Yes — full warranty coverage:
Materials: Lifetime manufacturer warranty on stainless steel liner
Installation: 10-year written workmanship warranty
You're covered for both the materials and the craftsmanship.
