Famco Flue Liner Replacement Nationwide

Famco Flue Liner Replacement: The Elizabeth Owner’s Guide

A Famco flue liner replacement in Elizabeth typically runs $1,800 to $3,400 installed, depending on chimney height and liner diameter, and we stock the common Famco sizes for same-day scheduling when you call. Most Elizabeth homeowners discover the problem during a routine sweep or when they notice bits of clay tile in the firebox after a burn. The chimney doesn’t care what you paid for the house - it just needs to be clean and clear.

Call (908) 923-3159

Which Famco Models This Applies To

Famco built several liner series over the decades, and the replacement part you need depends on what was originally installed. The Famco stainless-steel flexible liners most common in Elizabeth’s older housing stock are typically 316Ti alloy in 5-, 6-, or 7-inch diameters, with the model designation stamped on the top termination collar or on a tag near the cleanout door. If the tag is gone, we measure the flue opening and the chimney height to match spec.

We also see Famco’s rigid liner systems in some of the pre-war brick stacks near Peterstown, where the straight flue allowed for sectional installation. Those use different connection hardware and cannot be patched with flexible liner material. We carry both the OEM Famco termination kits and quality aftermarket equivalents from Olympia Chimney and Copperfield that meet the same UL 1777 standard. For most Elizabeth homes, the aftermarket equivalent installs faster and carries the same ten-year warranty, but we always verify compatibility with your existing Famco components before ordering.

Hearthstone Chimney Co. is an independent service provider with no affiliation to Famco.

Signs Your Famco Flue Liner Replacement Is Failing

• Clay fragments or metal flakes in the firebox. These are pieces of a deteriorating liner breaking free during heating and cooling cycles. In Elizabeth’s freeze-thaw climate, moisture seeping through porous crown mortar accelerates this breakdown, and what starts as small spalling can become a blocked flue.
• White or tan staining on exterior chimney brick. This efflorescence signals that combustion gases are leaking through liner gaps and condensing inside the masonry. The salts left behind are evidence that the liner is no longer containing the exhaust stream.
• Smoky odor or poor draft even with the damper open. A compromised liner creates turbulence and reduces the smooth upward flow of smoke. We see this often in Elizabeth’s tighter, well-insulated homes where negative pressure already challenges draft performance.
• Visible cracks or gaps when shining a light up the flue. Hairline cracks in clay tile liners widen with thermal cycling. Stainless Famco liners can develop seam separation or corrosion pinholes near the smoke shelf where acidic condensation pools.
• Carbon monoxide detector alerts during fireplace use. This is the symptom that cannot wait. A leaking liner allows CO to escape into wall cavities or living space before it reaches the chimney top. If your detector sounds during a fire, extinguish it and call for inspection.

Replacement Cost & What’s Included

What drives the range: chimney height, whether the liner must navigate an offset or smoke chamber transition, and whether the existing Famco top plate and rain cap are reusable. Our estimate includes the liner material, all connection hardware, removal and proper disposal of the failed liner, and a post-installation camera inspection with photos you receive. The 90-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation in writing, no arguing. We also honor our standing 5% senior and veteran discount on the full job.

DIY or Call Us?

An owner can safely check the firebox for debris and shine a flashlight up the flue to spot obvious damage. Do not attempt to remove or install a flue liner yourself. The work involves working at roof height on a pitched surface, handling sharp stainless edges, and properly sealing the liner to the appliance collar - a gap there and you’re venting carbon monoxide into the basement. We’ve been called to Elizabeth homes where a DIY liner drop left a three-inch gap at the thimble, undetected until a Level-2 inspection found it. The camera doesn’t lie, and neither do we. Call (908) 923-3159 and we’ll give you a straight answer on what you’re dealing with.

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