Chimney Relining in DeKalb, IL

Chimney relining installs a new liner — usually stainless steel — inside the flue to safely contain heat, smoke and combustion gases. Liners crack from age, chimney fires and freeze-thaw, and a cracked liner lets heat and carbon monoxide reach the surrounding structure. If an inspection turns up damaged flue tiles or your chimney was never lined for its current appliance, relining is the fix. Imperial installs code-compliant stainless liners built to last.

What a liner does

The liner is the chimney’s inner shield. It keeps the intense heat of a fire away from your home’s framing, protects the masonry from corrosive combustion byproducts, and gives smoke a smooth path out. A sound liner is the single most important safety component of the chimney.

Signs you need relining

Pieces of flue tile in the firebox, a chimney fire in the past, a new stove or insert that doesn’t match the existing flue size, or persistent draft and odor problems all point to relining. A camera inspection confirms it.

Stainless steel liners

We install UL-listed stainless-steel liners sized to your appliance. Stainless resists corrosion from both wood and gas exhaust, handles high heat, and typically carries a long warranty — the right choice for most DeKalb-area homes.

A safe, correct fit

An oversized or undersized flue drafts poorly and can be dangerous. We size the liner to your fireplace, stove or furnace so it drafts correctly and meets code — then insulate it where needed for better performance.

Liner materials and the UL 1777 standard

Not all liners are equal, and the rating matters. We install stainless-steel liners listed to UL 1777, the recognized safety standard for chimney liners, in an alloy suited to your fuel — certain grades of stainless resist the corrosive condensate from high-efficiency gas appliances far better than others. Clay-tile liners, common in older chimneys, do their job well until age, heat or a chimney fire cracks them; once that happens, a stainless reline restores full protection without the cost of rebuilding the masonry around a new tile.

Rigid vs. flexible liners, and insulation

Stainless liners come in two forms. Rigid liner is used where the flue runs straight and offers a smooth, durable path. Flexible liner navigates the offsets and bends common in older chimneys, so it can be installed where a rigid section could not go. Many installations also call for insulation around the liner — it keeps flue gases hotter, which improves draft and reduces condensation and creosote, and it may be required to meet clearance-to-combustibles standards. We choose the type and insulation based on your chimney’s geometry and the appliance it serves.

How we size a liner — and why it matters

Sizing is not guesswork; it is the difference between a liner that works and one that is dangerous. A liner too large for the appliance lets flue gases cool and condense, drafts sluggishly and builds creosote; one too small chokes the draft and can push exhaust back toward the home. We calculate the correct cross-sectional area for your specific stove, insert or fireplace, following the appliance and code requirements, so the finished chimney drafts strongly and vents safely. A correctly sized stainless reline typically carries a long warranty and lasts for decades.

Serving DeKalb County and beyond

Imperial Chimney Sweepers is based at 1600 E Lincoln Hwy in DeKalb and covers 20-plus surrounding towns — from Sycamore and Cortland to Sandwich, Genoa and Rochelle. See our full service area or explore related work: Chimney Inspection Chimney Repair Chimney Sweeping.

Insured & Bonded. Every job is done to NFPA 211 standards by the crew whose name is on the truck. Call (815) 449-4265 for a quote.