Ventinox VG

Each year thousands of modern gas furnaces are vented into outdated masonry chimneys, resulting in poor draft, excessive water vapor and corrosion. The Chimney Maintenance Industry considers these problems serious because their effects do not show up immediately and the homeowner may not be aware they exist. See the Frequently Asked Questions Page

Why do these Chimney Problems Occur?

Blocked flue caused by Degradation of Chimney	Wet Chimneys Experience Freeze/Thaw Cycles
Spalled & Stained Brick	Water Damage to Interior Wall

In cold oversized masonry chimneys, the low temperature exhaust gasses of modern appliances rapidly expand and cool. DRAFT, which depends on the buoyancy of these gases is drastically reduced. If the flue gases stay in your chimney longer, the danger of them leaking into the home increases.

WATER VAPOR is normal by-product of combustion with any fuel. It condenses on the cool inside surfaces of masonry chimneys, especially those on exterior walls. The resulting water is absorbed by the chimney and transferred through the walls causing paint to peel, wallpaper and plaster to fail.

In winter, wet chimneys experience numerous freeze and thaw cycles causing eroded mortar joints,
cracked and spalled bricks, blocks and clay tile liners. Open mortar joints and flues blocked by debris can force carbon monoxide into the home.

CORROSION, usually associated with metals, can occur in masonry chimneys, especially when they were previously used to vent oil and coal furnaces. Chemical compounds, residues of these fuels and air pollution, combine with water to form acids capable of causing considerable damage to masonry materials.

A major industry study* identified indoor air pollution as a significant factor in the production of acidic condensation in modern heating equipment. The chemical compounds responsible for this acidic condensation originate from carpets, household bleach, cleaning solvents, laundry detergents, paint thinners, etc., ...items we all innocently use and store in our homes.

*1985 Gas Research Institute Study

Click to see more examples of chimney damage

What can be done to Prevent or Solve these problems?

Fitting a chimney with a properly sized liner is most important. It ensures good draft by preventing the flue gases from expanding and cooling. The warm, buoyant flue gases exit the chimney faster and have less time to leak into the home or condense on the chimney walls. Water vapor in the flue gases can't be eliminated, but the amount that condenses in a chimney can and must be reduced. By properly sizing and then insulating chimneys, that goal can be achieved. Any remaining water must be contained within an air and watertight conduit. Porous masonry chimneys or chimneys with jointed clay tiles cannot do the job.

Keeping the water in the liner inhibits further damage to the masonry wall from freeze and thaw cycles and corrosion. However, to contain the corrosive moisture, the chimney liner must be made from a material with superior corrosion resistance. Traditionally used stainless steels are not gas suitable.

The Ventinox VG chimney liner was specifically designed to solve problems with gas chimneys. VG is non-porous, leak-proof and insulated, perfect for reducing and containing condensation. To combat corrosion the VG liner is made of an alloy recommended in the GRI Study for use with modern heating appliances. No other liner on the market comes close to matching the superior quality of Ventinox VG.

Ventinox VG is made from AL29-4C, a highly corrosion resistant stainless steel that is recognized by the American Gas Association for its outstanding performance. AL29-4C is far superior to aluminum or common stainless steel liners. (See Service History)

Though not required, Ventinox VG can be insulated with either TherMix or ProFoil ceramic blankets. Insulation reduces condensation and improves performance. Refer to the Ventinox installation instructions for details.

Ventinox VG liners (3 - 12) and all systems components are listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. to UL 1777 for non-condensing gas appliances and feature a lifetime warranty. Ventinox VG has also been tested and listed to ULC 9635-M90 by Underwriters Laboratories of Canada.

Ventinox VG is available in 3-12 diameters. Distributors offer 3-9 in custom cut lengths up to 150. 10-12 diameter Ventinox comes in 5 increments up to 20 lengths. 3-6 Ventinox VG (25 long coils) and 7-8 Ventinox VG (15 long coils) are available pre boxed for UPS chapping.