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Chimney Liner Installation in New York, NY

Serving New York and nearby cities. Tell us about the job and we’ll call you back to confirm the details.

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The short answer

You likely need a new chimney liner if your flue is cracked, the draft is poor, or you are switching an appliance from oil to gas. PrimeFlue inspects the flue first, then installs a liner sized to your appliance, with a clean, contained process inside your home and on the roof.

A chimney liner is the inner lining of the flue. It carries smoke, gases and moisture up and out of your home and keeps heat and acidic byproducts away from the surrounding brick and framing. Many older New York homes have clay tile liners that have cracked or shifted over time, or no working liner at all. Some liners were built for one fuel and are now serving another. When a liner fails, exhaust can seep into the masonry, draft weakens, and the chimney deteriorates from the inside. PrimeFlue Chimney Services installs new liners for fireplaces, boilers, furnaces and water heaters in New York and nearby cities. Our certified technicians start by inspecting the existing flue, then size and install a liner matched to the appliance it serves.

Signs you need it

Liner problems are usually hidden inside the chimney, so most homeowners notice the side effects first. Any of the signs below is a good reason to have the flue inspected before the next heating season. A damaged liner rarely gets better on its own.

  • A smoke or creosote smell in the room, especially on humid days or when the fireplace or boiler is running
  • Poor draft: smoke rolls back into the room, fires are hard to start, or an appliance struggles to vent
  • Pieces of clay tile, mortar or brick flakes collecting in the firebox or at the base of the flue
  • White staining on the outside or inside brick, a sign that moisture is moving through the masonry
  • Water in the firebox or damp spots on walls near the chimney
  • Your boiler, furnace or water heater is being converted from oil to gas, or replaced with a new appliance
Technician lowering an inspection camera into a chimney flue

What's included

Every liner installation follows the same core steps, so you know what to expect before we arrive. If the inspection turns up something that needs a different approach, we explain it and review options with you before any extra work starts.

  • Inspection of the existing flue, including a camera inspection where the inside of the chimney can't be seen directly
  • Measurement of the flue and review of the appliance it serves, so the liner is sized correctly
  • Cleaning the flue and clearing loose tile, mortar or debris that would block the new liner
  • Installation of the liner from the top of the chimney down to the appliance or fireplace
  • Insulation around the liner where the flue and appliance call for it
  • Connection at the bottom to the appliance or smoke chamber, and a top plate and cap at the crown
  • A draft check after installation and a walkthrough of what we found and what we did

How our crew works in your home and on the roof

Inside, we lay drop cloths from the door to the fireplace or boiler room before any tools come out. We use HEPA vacuums to capture soot and dust as we work. Rotary brushes clean the flue walls before the liner goes in. Where the condition of the flue is unclear, we run a camera through it so you can see the same footage we do.

On the roof, the crew works from the chimney crown, removing any old cap and preparing the opening. The liner is fed down from the top, which keeps most of the work outside your living space. When we finish, we seal the top, fit the cap, and clear away materials and debris from the roof and the work area indoors. In apartment buildings and attached homes, we coordinate roof access with you or your building management ahead of time.

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. Level 1 applies when nothing has changed. Level 2 applies when the system changes, for example a new appliance or a switch of fuel, or when the home is sold. Level 3 applies when a hidden hazard has to be reached by opening part of the chimney or building. A liner installation usually goes with a change to the system, so we inspect at the level the situation calls for.

Fuel conversions are common in the city. When a New York City building converts its boiler from oil to gas, the chimney has to be evaluated as part of the work. A new liner is often needed because gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue. If you are planning a conversion, bring us in early so the liner work fits your schedule.

What affects the price

Every chimney is different, so we quote after seeing the flue rather than guessing. The main factors are:

  • Chimney height and how easy it is to reach and work safely on the roof
  • Fuel type and appliance, which determine the liner material and size
  • Flue size and condition, including whether old tile has to be removed or the flue needs to be opened up
  • How much creosote, soot or debris has built up inside
  • Whether a camera inspection is needed, and whether repairs to the crown, cap or masonry are needed along with the liner

How a visit works

First, we schedule an inspection and ask about your appliance, fuel and any symptoms you have noticed. At the inspection, we look at the flue, take measurements, and show you any camera footage. You then get a clear written explanation of the recommended liner and any related repairs.

Once you approve, we book the installation. Most work happens on the roof, with a shorter stretch at the fireplace or appliance indoors. New York City's heat season runs from October 1 through May 31. If your liner serves a boiler or furnace, we plan the work so heat is down for as little time as possible, and many owners prefer to schedule before October. At the end, we test the draft, clean up, and go over what to watch for until your next yearly inspection.

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
  • Written price up front
  • Written price before we start

What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. We look before we quote

    Every job starts with an inspection of the parts that matter, so the price you get is based on what is really there, not a guess.

  2. We show you the evidence

    We take photos of the flue, crown, damper or vent and walk you through them, so you can see the problem for yourself.

  3. We keep your home clean

    We cover floors and furniture near the work area and use containment and vacuums so soot and debris stay out of your living space.

FAQ

Common questions

How do I know if my chimney has a liner?

Many older homes have clay tile liners, and some have none. A visual or camera inspection shows what is in the flue and whether it is intact.

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

Often, yes. Gas exhaust produces acidic condensate that can corrode a masonry flue, and in New York City the chimney has to be evaluated as part of an oil-to-gas boiler conversion.

Will the installation make a mess inside my home?

We use drop cloths and HEPA vacuums, and most of the work is done from the roof. We clean up the indoor work area before we leave.

Can I use my fireplace or boiler during the work?

No. The appliance connected to the flue has to be off while we install the liner. We plan the timing with you, especially during heat season.

How often should the chimney be inspected after a new liner?

The NFPA 211 standard calls for a yearly inspection. Another inspection is a good idea if you change appliances or fuel, or sell the home.

Are your technicians certified?

Yes, the technicians who inspect flues and install liners are certified.

Find Out What Your Chimney Needs

Tell us what you are noticing, whether it is a smell, a stain or a fireplace that will not draw. We will inspect it, show you photos and give you a written price before any work starts.

Call (224) 681-9640 Request Service