Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
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AfterDuraFlex Flue Liner Replacement: The Ewing Owner’s Guide
DuraFlex flue liner replacement in Ewing typically runs $2,800-$4,500 installed, depending on chimney height, diameter, and whether the existing liner pulls clean or has shifted at the thimble. We stock DuraFlex-compatible liner sections, connectors, and termination caps on our trucks, and most Ewing replacements are completed in a single day once we have run a camera to confirm the full scope. Homeowners usually discover the problem when a Level-2 inspection turns up cracked seams, corrosion pinholes, or a liner that has pulled away from the top connector and is venting into the masonry cavity.
Which DuraFlex Models This Applies To
DuraFlex manufactures several distinct liner series, and matching the right one matters for both safety and code compliance. The DuraFlex SW (stainless wall) and DuraFlex HT (high-temperature) are the two most common in Ewing’s pre-1990 housing stock, particularly the colonials and split-levels near the Ewing Lawrence border and along Scotch Road. You will find the series marking stamped on the termination cap or on a tag at the top connector if it is still legible. If not, we measure inner diameter with a caliper and check wall thickness; DuraFlex SW runs .006″ to .013″ depending on diameter, while HT runs heavier for oil and coal conversions.
We are an independent service provider, not affiliated with DuraFlex. For replacements, we source OEM DuraFlex where the connector geometry or proprietary twist-lock collar demands it. In many cases, a quality aftermarket equivalent from Olympia Chimney or Copperfield matches the spec at a lower parts cost and carries the same UL 1777 listing. The gotcha in Ewing’s climate: aftermarket collars sometimes seat differently after freeze-thaw cycling has warped the existing top plate, so we always test-fit before committing to the full run.
Signs Your DuraFlex Flue Liner Replacement Is Failing
- White or orange staining on the exterior brick below the roofline. This means exhaust gases are leaking through pinholes or separated seams in the DuraFlex liner and condensing in the masonry cavity. In Ewing’s wet winters, that condensation carries acids that eat mortar joints from the inside.
- Bits of stainless steel or crimped collar in the firebox or cleanout. These are pieces of the liner itself, usually from corrosion at the flex points or from a top connector that has worked loose after years of thermal expansion. Once the liner is shedding metal, the integrity of the full run is suspect.
- Smoke or odors in upstairs rooms when the fireplace or furnace is running. A shifted or collapsed DuraFlex liner can block proper draft and force exhaust through gaps in the thimble or around the appliance connection. This is not a nuisance; it is a carbon monoxide pathway.
- Water in the cleanout or rust streaks on the damper. DuraFlex termination caps can crack at the spark arrestor mesh or lose their seal to the flue tile. Ewing’s nor’easters drive rain straight down some exposures, and a compromised cap lets water follow the liner all the way to the bottom.
- The appliance backdrafts or struggles to draw even with the damper wide open. A liner that has ovalized, kinked during a previous poor installation, or filled with creosote glaze has lost its engineered diameter. DuraFlex liners are sized to the appliance BTU rating; any restriction throws off the draft calculation.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
For a typical Ewing home with a two-story chimney and straight run, DuraFlex flue liner replacement runs $2,800-$4,500. A three-story colonial on the hill near Mountain View Road, or a run with an offset thimble requiring a custom bend, pushes toward the upper end. The price includes the camera inspection and photo report, removal of the failed liner, installation of the new DuraFlex or equivalent, a new top connector and termination cap, and sealing the thimble joint with proper high-temp sealant.
We quote upfront, and the number on the estimate is the number on the invoice. The work is covered by our 90-Day Done Right Promise, in writing, no arguing. If the flue is right, the fire takes care of itself.
DIY or Call Us?
A homeowner can safely check the termination cap from the roof or ground with binoculars for obvious damage, and can look down the flue with a flashlight for visible gaps or debris. That is where safe DIY ends. Pulling a DuraFlex liner requires working at height on a steep roof, handling heavy stainless sections that can kink if torqued wrong, and properly sizing the new run to the appliance - a mismatch voids the warranty and creates a fire hazard. The old liner may also be creosote-saturated and require hazardous material handling.
We have replaced DuraFlex liners in Ewing homes for over 42 years. Our technicians are background-checked and uniformed, and they carry the full inventory to finish most jobs in one visit. Call (856) 388-5580 for a free estimate and camera inspection.
FAQs
A properly installed DuraFlex stainless liner in Ewing typically lasts 15 to 25 years, though oil and coal service shortens that by roughly a third due to sulfuric acid condensation. Ewing’s freeze-thaw cycles and wet shoulder seasons accelerate corrosion at the top connector, so we inspect that joint closely during every sweep. Call (856) 388-5580 to schedule a camera inspection and know exactly where yours stands.
Small cracks or isolated pinholes can sometimes be addressed with a HeatShield cerfractory sealant application if the damage is limited and accessible, but that requires a camera inspection to confirm the liner is otherwise sound. If the liner has separated at multiple seams, ovalized, or shed metal into the firebox, replacement is the only code-compliant path. We will show you the camera footage and give you a straight answer either way.
Most DuraFlex flue liner replacements in Ewing are completed in four to six hours from setup to final test burn, assuming a straight run and no hidden thimble damage. Jobs requiring masonry repair at the top plate or a custom offset bend may extend to a second day, but we will tell you that upfront after the camera inspection. Our crew arrives with the liner, connectors, and cap on the truck so we are not waiting on parts.
We carry DuraFlex-compatible liner sections in the common diameters - 6″, 7″, and 8″ - along with connectors, top plates, and termination caps from DuraFlex, Olympia Chimney, and Copperfield. If your chimney requires an unusual diameter or a proprietary DuraFlex collar, we source it within 24 to 48 hours and schedule the install once it is in hand. Call (856) 388-5580 and we will confirm fitment from your model details or a quick site visit.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Ewing and nearby areas.