Chimney Liner Installation & Replacement

Restore Safe Flue Function

Your chimney liner is the barrier between 2,000-degree flue gases and your home's combustible structure. When that liner is cracked, deteriorated, or missing entirely, heat and carbon monoxide can reach your walls, framing, and living spaces.

Call for Liner Assessment

What a Chimney Liner Does

Heat Containment

Flue gases reach temperatures that would ignite wood framing. The liner contains this heat within the flue, protecting your home's structure.

Gas Containment

Carbon monoxide and combustion gases must exit through the chimney—not seep into your living spaces. The liner provides a sealed pathway.

Chimney Protection

Combustion byproducts are corrosive. The liner protects the chimney's masonry from chemical attack by acidic flue gases.

Types of Chimney Liners

Stainless Steel Liners

Most Popular

A continuous stainless steel tube inserted down the existing chimney. The most popular replacement option.

Continuous construction—no joints to fail
Excellent durability, handles thermal cycling
Quick installation—most complete in one day
15-25 year or lifetime warranties

Typical Cost Installed:

$1,200 - $2,500

Depending on chimney length and diameter

Cast-in-Place Liners

A specialized cement mixture applied to the interior, creating a smooth, seamless liner bonded to masonry walls.

Preserves full flue diameter
Strengthens chimney structure
Fills cracks and gaps in existing masonry
Works with offsets and unusual configurations

Typical Cost Installed:

$2,000 - $4,000

Depending on chimney size and condition

Clay Tile Liners

Traditional liner material found in most masonry chimneys built before the 1980s. Clay tiles stacked during construction.

Good heat resistance
Long service life under ideal conditions
Cannot be repaired in place when cracked
Joints between tiles can fail

After 30-50 years, clay tile liners commonly show cracking from thermal cycling and deterioration.

Aluminum Liners

Lightweight liners suitable only for gas appliances. Cannot withstand temperatures from wood burning.

Gas Appliances Only

Never use aluminum liners with wood-burning fireplaces

Typical Cost Installed:

$800 - $1,500

Signs Your Liner Needs Attention

Clay Tile Pieces in Firebox

Broken liner material falling indicates the liner is deteriorating

Video Inspection Shows Cracks

Cracks allow heat and gases to reach the chimney structure

Smoke or Odors in Adjacent Rooms

Gases escaping through liner cracks enter living spaces

Uneven Creosote Accumulation

Gaps in liner create turbulence causing uneven deposits

Home Inspector Flags Issues

Common during pre-purchase inspections of older homes

Your Chimney is Unlined

Pre-1940s homes sometimes have no interior liner—requires immediate lining

The Installation Process

Stainless Steel Liner Installation

1

Assessment

We inspect the chimney to verify dimensions, check for obstructions, and confirm the liner will fit properly.

2

Preparation

The existing chimney is cleaned thoroughly. Any debris or loose material is removed.

3

Liner Insertion

The stainless steel liner is carefully fed down the chimney from the top, coordinating technicians at both ends.

4

Connection & Termination

Liner is connected at the bottom and secured at the top with a cap assembly that seals while providing rain and animal protection.

5

Insulation (When Required)

For wood-burning applications in exterior chimneys, insulation fills the space between liner and chimney walls.

Timeline: Most installations complete in one day

Cast-in-Place Installation

1

Assessment & Preparation

Similar to stainless steel, plus evaluation of internal chimney surfaces for bonding.

2

Form Insertion

An inflatable form is positioned inside the chimney.

3

Material Placement

The specialized liner mixture is poured or pumped into the space between form and chimney walls.

4

Curing

The material cures around the form, bonding to the chimney walls.

5

Form Removal

Once cured, the form is deflated and removed, leaving a smooth, continuous liner.

Timeline: Typically requires 1-2 days including curing time

Why Mad Hatter for Liner Installation

45+ Years of Installation Experience

We've installed liners in every type of chimney across the greater Seattle area.

Master Chimney Sweep Certification

Advanced knowledge of chimney systems, liner requirements, and proper installation techniques.

Both Liner Types Available

We install stainless steel and cast-in-place liners, recommending what's best for your chimney.

Quality Products

We use liners from reputable manufacturers with strong warranties.

Complete Service

From inspection and diagnosis through installation and final testing—one company handles everything.

Video Camera Assessment

We show you exactly what's happening inside your chimney before recommending solutions.

Schedule Liner Assessment

If you suspect liner problems—or if your chimney hasn't been inspected recently—professional evaluation determines exactly what your liner needs.

45 years of certified expertise serving the greater Seattle area