The Complete Guide to Chimney Relining in Northern NJ

Published February 23, 2026

The flue liner is one of the most critical components of your chimney system, yet most homeowners never think about it until something goes wrong. Your liner serves three essential purposes: it protects your home from heat transfer to combustible materials, it protects the chimney masonry from corrosive flue gases, and it provides a correctly sized flue for optimal drafting.

For Northern NJ homeowners, chimney relining is a common and important service. Here is everything you need to know.

Signs You Need Chimney Relining

• Cracked or deteriorating clay tiles: Clay tile liners are common in older NJ homes. Over time, they crack from heat cycling and moisture exposure.
• Pieces of clay in the firebox: If you find chunks of tile in your fireplace, your liner is actively failing.
• Failed inspection: A chimney inspection may reveal liner damage not visible from below.
• Fuel conversion: Switching from wood to gas or oil requires a properly sized liner for the new fuel type.
• Smoke or odor problems: A damaged liner can cause poor drafting, leading to smoke and gases entering your home.
• White staining (efflorescence) on exterior masonry: This indicates moisture is penetrating through the liner and into the brick.

Types of Chimney Liners

Stainless Steel Liners

Stainless steel liners are the most popular choice for chimney relining in Northern NJ. They are durable, versatile, and work with all fuel types including wood, gas, and oil. A quality stainless steel liner, properly installed, can last 15 to 25 years or more. They are inserted as a flexible or rigid tube down the existing chimney and connected to your appliance or firebox.

Cast-in-Place Liners

Cast-in-place liners involve applying a cement-like material directly to the inside of your chimney. This creates a smooth, seamless, insulated liner that also strengthens the chimney structure. This option is excellent for chimneys with structural issues or unusual configurations.

Clay Tile Liners

Clay tiles are the original liner material found in most traditionally built chimneys. While durable, they are difficult to replace and cannot be easily repaired once cracked. Most relining projects replace clay tiles with stainless steel or cast-in-place liners for better performance and longevity.

The Relining Process

Here is what to expect when Santa's Sweepers relines your chimney:

1. Inspection: We perform a thorough inspection to assess the condition of your existing liner and determine the best relining approach.
2. Preparation: We clean the chimney and prepare the flue for the new liner.
3. Sizing: We calculate the correct liner size based on your appliance type, BTU rating, and chimney dimensions.
4. Installation: The new liner is carefully installed from the top of the chimney down to the appliance connection.
5. Insulation: When required, we add insulation around the liner to improve performance and meet code requirements.
6. Connection and Sealing: The liner is connected to your appliance or firebox and all joints are properly sealed.
7. Final Inspection: We verify proper installation, draft, and safety before completing the job.

Why NJ Homeowners Should Not Delay Relining

Operating a fireplace or heating appliance with a damaged liner is dangerous. Heat and corrosive gases can reach the wood framing around your chimney, creating a serious fire risk. Carbon monoxide can also leak into your living space through cracks in the liner. NJ building codes require a properly functioning liner for all fuel-burning appliances vented through a chimney.

Learn more about our chimney relining services