Chimney lining - oil to gas conversion

Last year I converted my 3-story PLG brownstone from oil to gas – my plumber installed a new Burnham IN-5 gas-fired steam boiler, and vented it directly into the existing masonry chimney via a short run of metal pipe from the boiler into the chimney stack.

More recently I’ve become aware that this might be a bad choice, as I’ve read the moist air from a gas burner can potentially degrade mortar joints in a masonry chimney, and a flue liner would alleviate this.

Q1: Should I have a flue liner installed inside my chimney?
Q2: Should my plumber have recommended this step in the first place?

pwnnyc

in General Discussion 7 years and 6 months ago

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Master Plvmber | 7 years and 6 months ago

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Gateway typically lists any chimney work beyond connecting the new boiler flue to the existing chimney as an exclusion to an installation or replacement contract. Plumbers aren’t qualified, certified, or insured to do chimney scans/testing/relining and since that’s a specific skill set, it’s best left to those who do it regularly. The liability is tremendous.

pwnnyc | 7 years and 6 months ago

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Thanks, MP – I do have a terra-cotta lined chimney, that’s a good point. But, I’m still confused: given the moist heat a gas burner produces, is a steel chimney liner something I should be seriously considering lest the mortar joints between the flue liners erode, or is this nice-to-have only?

(BTW – it was actually Gateway that performed my oil-to-gas conversion 2 years ago. I just reviewed the original (extremely detailed and thorough) job spec / price quote and, there is no discussion of this issue, other than noting that chimney lining was not in scope for the work. Overall, very satisfied with my experience (both this and subsequent) with Gateway.)

Master Plvmber | 7 years and 6 months ago

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Venting directly into brick and mortar is not something that is done anymore. But then again, there are few true brick-and-mortar chimneys out there. Most are clay or terra cotta lined. Any modern boiler replacement price quote should include some acknowledgement of the venting conditions and potential work to be performed, even if by contractors other than the boiler installer. I’ve used A&A lots of times, and a handful of other companies for various reasons.

eileengray | 7 years and 6 months ago

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Definitely a good idea. Plumbers don’t install liners. Lots of gas conversions are done without any problem. However as the IP notes, moisture is a potential problem, especially at the roof where the hot combusted air hits the cold outside air and forms vapor. Over time the brick and mortar degrade and vapor can make its way into the top floor ceiling/roof. I used A&A to line my chimney- high quality work. You will need to have openings made in your chimney breasts at some or all floors. A&A was very neat and created tents – the inside of your chimney has a lot of soot.