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Serving New York and nearby cities Mon–Fri: 8 AM–8 PM · Requests accepted 24/7 · (815) 612-2471

Chimney Liner Installation in New York City and Nearby Cities

Serving New York and nearby cities.

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The short answer

You need a new chimney liner when the existing one is cracked, deteriorated, missing, or the wrong size for your appliance, which often happens after an oil-to-gas boiler conversion. AshVanta inspects the flue with a camera, then installs a liner sized to your appliance and tests the draft before we leave.

A chimney liner is the protective channel inside your flue that carries smoke and exhaust safely out of the house. It keeps heat away from wood framing, keeps acidic gases off the masonry, and helps the appliance draft properly. Many older New York homes have clay tile liners that have cracked or shifted, and some have no liner at all. Others switched from oil to gas and now have a flue that is the wrong size or material. AshVanta Chimney Services installs new liners for fireplaces, wood stoves, inserts, boilers and water heaters in New York City and nearby cities. Our certified technicians inspect first, explain what they found, and fit a liner sized to the appliance it serves.

Signs you need a new chimney liner

Liner damage is usually hidden inside the chimney, so most homeowners notice the symptoms before they see the problem. If you see any of the following, schedule an inspection before your next fire or heating season.

  • A smoke or creosote smell in the room, especially on humid days or when the fireplace is not in use
  • Poor draft: smoke rolls into the room, fires are hard to start, or the boiler or water heater spills exhaust
  • Pieces of clay tile, mortar or brick flakes collecting in the firebox or at the base of the flue
  • White staining on the brick inside or outside the chimney, a sign that moisture is moving through the masonry
  • Water in the firebox or damp spots on walls and ceilings near the chimney
  • A recent or planned switch from oil to gas, or a new appliance connected to an old flue
Technician lowering an inspection camera into a chimney flue

What is included in a liner installation

Every job starts with an inspection so the liner matches the appliance and the chimney. Here is what a standard installation covers.

  • Video camera inspection of the full flue before work begins
  • Measurement of the flue and review of the appliance's venting requirements so the liner is sized correctly
  • Cleaning the existing flue to remove soot, creosote and loose debris
  • Removal of broken tile or obstructions where needed to fit the new liner
  • Installation of a liner suited to the fuel type, with the connections and fittings the appliance requires
  • A top plate and cap to seal the top of the flue and keep out rain and animals
  • Insulation around the liner where the chimney and appliance call for it
  • A draft test after installation and a final camera check
  • A written summary and photos of the before and after condition

How our crew works inside your home and on the roof

Inside, the crew lays drop cloths from the door to the fireplace or appliance and seals the opening before cleaning starts. Rotary brushes clear the old flue while HEPA vacuums run to capture soot and dust, so it stays in the chimney instead of settling on your furniture. A camera goes up the flue before and after the work so you can see the condition of the lining for yourself.

On the roof, the technicians use proper ladders and fall protection, check the crown, flashing and cap, and feed the new liner down from the top. In attached row houses and buildings with shared walls, we pay close attention to neighboring flues and roof access, and we let you know ahead of time if we need building staff or a neighbor's cooperation to reach the roof.

Time for your annual chimney check?

The standards we follow

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. Chimney professionals use three inspection levels. A Level 1 inspection applies when nothing has changed. A Level 2 inspection applies when the system changes, such as a new appliance, a switch of fuel, or the sale of the home. A Level 3 inspection applies when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building.

Installing a new liner, or relining after a fuel change, usually calls for at least a Level 2 inspection, which includes the camera work described above. In New York City, when a building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the job. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue over time.

What affects the price

We give you a written quote after the inspection, because every chimney is different. These are the main factors that shape the cost:

  • Chimney height and how easy it is to reach and work safely on the roof
  • The fuel type and appliance: wood, gas or oil, and whether it is a fireplace, stove, insert, boiler or water heater
  • Flue size, shape and condition, including any offsets or bends
  • How much creosote, soot or debris has to be removed first
  • Whether broken tile must be removed, or masonry repaired, before the liner can go in
  • Whether insulation, a new cap, or a further camera inspection is needed

How a visit works

When you contact us, we ask about your appliance, the age of the home, and any symptoms you have noticed. We schedule an inspection visit, run the camera, and walk you through what we see. If a liner is needed, you get a written scope and quote explaining the liner type, insulation and any repairs.

On installation day, the crew protects your floors, cleans the flue, installs and connects the liner, then tests the draft. We clean up before we leave and send you photos. Since New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31, landlords and owners of heated buildings often schedule relining in late spring or summer so the boiler is back in service before October.

Chimney Liner Installation by city

Chimney sweep cleaning a brick chimney on a rowhouse roof

Book Chimney Liner Installation in New York

Serving New York and nearby cities.

  • Diagnosis before any repair
  • Photos of every finding
  • Written price before we start

What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. We show you the problem

    You get photos from inside the flue, vent or duct, along with a plain explanation of what each one shows. You see what we see before you decide anything.

  2. We fix what is needed

    We separate urgent safety issues from things that can be planned for later. If a sweep is all your chimney needs, a sweep is all we recommend.

  3. We respect your home and building

    We cover work areas, contain soot and dust, and coordinate with your super or managing agent when a building requires it.

FAQ

Common questions

Don’t see your question? Call (815) 612-2471 and we’ll talk it through.

How do I know if my chimney has a liner?

Look up the flue with a flashlight. You may see clay tiles or a metal pipe, but a camera inspection is the only reliable way to check the full height and condition. Some older homes have bare brick with no liner at all.

Do I need a new liner if I switch from oil to gas?

Often, yes. In New York City, the chimney has to be evaluated during an oil-to-gas boiler conversion. Gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue, and the old flue may be the wrong size for the new appliance.

How long does a liner installation take?

Many installations take one day once the inspection and quote are done. Tall chimneys, offsets, tile removal or masonry repair can add time. We tell you what to expect in the quote.

Will the work make a mess in my home?

We lay drop cloths, seal the fireplace or appliance opening, and run HEPA vacuums while we clean. Most of the installation happens from the roof, and we clean up before we leave.

Can I use my fireplace or boiler the same day?

In most cases, yes. We test the draft after installation and tell you when the system is ready to use. If a repair needs time to cure, we will tell you before we leave.

How often should a lined chimney be inspected?

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year, even with a new liner. Annual inspections catch buildup, animal nests and cap or crown damage early.

Find out what your chimney or vents need

Tell us about your home, what you have noticed, and when you are available. We will set up an inspection, show you what we find, and give you a written price before any work begins.

Call (815) 612-2471 Request Service