The situation: a smoke smell and a home sale
A 1960s brick ranch near downtown Crystal Lake, an open wood-burning fireplace used a few times a winter. The owners noticed a faint smoky smell in the living room even when the fire was out, and they were about to list the house. A home inspector had flagged the chimney as “recommend specialist evaluation” — which is exactly the point where a chimney inspection earns its keep.
The inspection: a Level 2 with a camera
Because a sale was involved and the flue could not be fully judged from the top and bottom alone, this called for a Level 2 inspection. The camera went up the flue, and the findings were common for a chimney of this age:
- Several clay flue tiles were cracked, with two showing gaps at the mortar joints between tiles.
- Those gaps explained the smell: combustion gases were leaking into the chimney chase and drifting back into the room.
- The crown had hairline cracks but was not yet failing, and the firebox was sound.
Cracked tiles are not a cosmetic issue. A gap in the liner lets heat and gases reach the brick and the framing around the chimney, which is both a fire risk and the reason the room smelled of smoke.
The options we laid out
We never present one fix as the only fix. Here is what was on the table and why we landed where we did — the same logic is covered in more depth on our alternatives to a full rebuild page.
- Patch the joints only. Cheapest, but it treats symptoms. With multiple cracked tiles it would not hold, and no honest sweep would warranty it.
- Rebuild the flue in clay tile. Possible but invasive and costly, because it means opening the chimney.
- Install a stainless steel liner. A continuous, code-listed pipe dropped down the existing flue. It seals the leak in one pass and carries a long warranty.
For this home the stainless liner was the clear choice: it solved the leak, suited a wood-burning appliance, and did not require tearing into the masonry.
Installation day, step by step
- Protect the home. Drop cloths from the firebox across the floor, and the work area sealed so soot stays in one place.
- Sweep first. The flue was swept so the new liner would seat against clean tile.
- Size and drop the liner. A correctly sized 316-grade stainless liner was lowered from the top of the chimney down the full length of the flue.
- Insulate. The liner was wrapped with insulation, which keeps the flue hotter, improves draft, and reduces creosote build-up.
- Connect and cap. The liner was connected at the appliance and finished at the top with a new crown seal and a cap to keep water and animals out.
- Final smoke test. A test fire confirmed the draft pulled cleanly and nothing leaked back into the room.
Start to finish it was a single day on site.
The result
The smell was gone immediately because the leak path was sealed. The fireplace drafted better than before thanks to the insulated liner, the chimney passed re-inspection for the sale, and the stainless liner came with a long manufacturer warranty that transferred to the buyers. The hairline crown cracks were sealed as part of the top finish, heading off the next problem before it started.
What to expect if your chimney is similar
If you are getting a smoke smell with no fire lit, or a home inspector has flagged your chimney, start with an inspection rather than a quote for a specific repair — the fix should follow the findings, not the other way round. Relining is a common outcome for older clay-tile flues, and our chimney relining page explains the materials and the warranty in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a chimney relining take?
A straightforward stainless steel reline on a single flue is usually one day on site. More complex chimneys, multiple flues, or added masonry repairs can extend that.
Why not just patch the cracked tiles?
Patching can work for a single small defect, but with several cracked tiles there are too many failure points to warranty. A continuous liner seals the whole flue in one pass.
Does a stainless liner improve how the fireplace works?
Usually yes. An insulated liner keeps flue gases hotter, which improves draft and reduces how fast creosote forms, so the fireplace both drafts better and stays cleaner.
Will a relined chimney pass a home-sale inspection?
A correctly installed, code-listed liner addresses the flue defects that cause a chimney to be flagged, and the work can be re-inspected and documented for the sale.
How long does a stainless steel liner last?
Quality 316-grade liners are commonly backed by long or lifetime manufacturer warranties and are built to last the life of the home when maintained.
Can you reline a chimney from inside the house?
The liner is installed from the top of the chimney down the flue, with connections made at the appliance. Roof access is needed, but the masonry does not have to be opened up.
Do I need a Level 2 inspection, or is Level 1 enough?
A Level 2 inspection, which includes a camera scan of the flue, is the standard for home sales and any time a problem like a smoke smell is suspected. Level 1 is for routine annual checks with no known issues.
What does relining cost?
It depends on the flue height, liner material and any related repairs. Our pricing page lists our starting figure; the exact number follows the inspection. See the pricing page for current starting prices.
Written by Johnathan Mason, owner of Ace Chimney Service, Crystal Lake, IL — 29 years in chimney and fireplace work.
Published: October 3, 2026 · Updated: October 3, 2026
Think your chimney may have a cracked liner? Call Ace Chimney Service at (815) 320-0883 to book an inspection, or request an appointment online.