Many options, when used correctly, can save a chimney and provide you with years of enjoyment while protecting you and your family’s health and safety.

A broken chimney means that there is a surrounding crack that is deep enough to penetrate all the layers of the chimney, making it structurally unsound. According to the 2007 California Building Code, which is based on the 2006 International Building Code, the only solution to a broken chimney is removal. The options after removal are; make the room look as if there never was a fireplace in the first place, re-build in the same manner and design using the current Building Codes, or a prefabricated fireplace can be installed.

Steel liners are not designed to reinforce broken chimneys; the metal is too thin. However if the firebox (which contains the fireplace) and the structure itself is in good shape,a stainless steel liner can be retrofitted at the throat of the firebox (at the top where it narrows) and then rebuild the chimney with a stucco or brick finish.

If an inspector tells you there are "gaps and voids" in the flue it means the chimney is structurally sound, but may be a fire and health hazard. The byproducts of any fire are smoke, carbon monoxide, heat and sparks. They are passed up the chimney and out into the atmosphere where they dissipate quickly and safely. If there are any openings along the chimney path, these byproducts will take the path of least resistance and may get into other parts of the house.

A steel liner can be used to solve this problem. However, it may alter the draw of the chimney so it no longer has sufficient pull to force these byproducts up the chimney and you get a smelly, smoky room. A smoke guard sometimes handles that problem, by reducing the opening of the fireplace by 4 to 8 inches. In some cases where the chimney and flue are not large enough there are chimney repair companies that can remove the old flue and install a steel liner. This option needs an OK from a structural engineer.

There are also other products that can coat the inside of the flue, called parging, filling in the gaps and voids which will not alter the draw of the fireplace. If the flue tiles themselves are cracked, these coatings should not be used. The very best and most effective solution is a steel liner. If the chimney and flue are big enough, it should not change the draw of a fireplace.

There are many different brands of steel liners. Some are made of very thin metal (thinner than a soup can). The thickness of the liner and the quality of the metal determine not only the cost, but the years of useful life.

The best solution is to get your chimney and fireplace inspected by a Certified Chimney Inspector from a reputable company in order to find out the best solutions for keeping your chimney safe for years of enjoyable use.