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.
Famco Flue Liner Replacement: The Alpharetta Owner’s Guide
We stock and install Famco-compatible flue liner replacements across Alpharetta, with most jobs running $1,850-$3,400 installed depending on liner diameter, height, and whether the chimney needs crown or smoke-chamber work. Many Famco stainless liners we carry fit same-day or next-day once we’ve camera-scanned to confirm sizing. Most Alpharetta homeowners discover the problem during a routine sweep or when they spot water staining on the firebox wall after heavy rain.
Which Famco Models This Applies To
Famco manufactured several liner series over the years, and the part you need depends on what’s currently in your flue. The most common we pull out of Alpharetta homes are the Famco 316Ti flexible liners in 6-inch and 8-inch diameters, and the heavier Famco 304/316 hybrid rigid liners used in some 1990s builds off Windward Parkway and the older sections near downtown. Check the top termination cap for a stamped model prefix, or look for a tag on the liner collar above the smoke chamber. If the tag’s burned off, we measure with a laser caliper down the flue during the camera scan.
We source replacement Famco liners through Haven’s buying network, which also stocks DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, and Olympia Chimney materials. For most Alpharetta replacements, we match the original alloy grade rather than downgrading to save cost. A 316Ti flexible liner handles the acidic exhaust from modern gas inserts better than the 304 grade some competitors substitute. We’re independent of Famco, but we spec to their original dimensions because an undersized liner creates draft problems you’ll notice the first cold night.
Signs Your Famco Flue Liner Replacement Is Failing

- Water stains or rust streaks inside the firebox. The liner’s outer wall has cracked or the top termination seal has failed, letting condensation run down between the liner and flue tile. In Alpharetta’s humid subtropical climate, this accelerates once the stainless surface loses its passivation layer.
- Flaking metallic debris in the firebox or cleanout. This is liner wall deterioration, not ordinary creosote. The 316Ti alloy resists acid corrosion well, but if the original installer used a 304 liner with a high-efficiency appliance, the inner wall thins from the inside out.
- Draft smoke spillage on startup, especially in wind. A separated liner joint or collapsed flex section creates turbulence that kills draft. Alpharetta’s spring wind patterns off the Etowah River valley push hard against north-facing chimneys, exposing gaps that stayed hidden in calm weather.
- Strong odor even when the fireplace isn’t in use. Gaps in the liner let house air pull through creosote deposits in the surrounding flue void. The smell worsens in summer when stack effect reverses and warm humid air pushes down the chimney.
- Visible gaps or sag in the liner when viewed from the top. Flexible liners sag when support plates corrode or when original installers skipped intermediate support brackets on tall flues. We see this most in the two-story homes off Webb Bridge Road where 35-foot runs weren’t properly supported.
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
Here’s how Famco flue liner replacement pricing breaks down in Alpharetta:
| Scope | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 6″ flexible liner replacement, single-story, straight flue | $1,850 - $2,400 |
| 8″ flexible liner replacement, two-story, with offset | $2,600 - $3,400 |
| Rigid liner replacement with custom bends | $2,800 - $3,800+ |
| Crown rebuild or top-seal replacement (if needed) | $450 - $950 additional |
The range depends on three things: liner diameter and alloy grade, total flue height and number of offsets, and whether the existing top plate and termination need replacement too. We deliver a written price before any work starts, Clause 1 of the Haven Standard, with the scope, materials list, and warranty spelled out. Every liner we install carries the 365-Day Done Right Promise. The documented photo record, Clause 4, shows you the full flue condition before and after.
DIY or Call Us?

There’s a safe middle ground here, and then there’s where DIY ends.
What you can check yourself: shine a flashlight up the flue from the firebox and look for obvious sag, gaps at joints, or rust staining on the liner surface. Note your appliance’s BTU rating and the flue diameter, which should be on a metal tag near the burner. That information speeds our quote.
Where DIY goes wrong: pulling a liner requires working on the roof, handling heavy stainless in a confined flue, and properly sizing draft for your specific appliance. More critically, an improperly sealed liner joint can vent carbon monoxide into wall cavities or living space. The camera doesn’t soften anything, and neither do I. We’ve found DIY liner jobs in Alpharetta with upside-down flex sections, unsupported drops over 20 feet, and gaps sealed with HVAC tape that cooked off in the first firing. Call (678) 679-0171 and we’ll camera-scan, quote in writing, and handle the install with documented verification.
FAQs
A properly installed 316Ti stainless liner typically lasts 15-25 years in Alpharetta’s climate, though we’ve seen premature failure at 8-10 years when the wrong alloy was paired with a condensing gas appliance or when the top seal was never maintained. Annual inspection catches the deterioration before it becomes a safety issue. Call (678) 679-0171 to schedule a camera scan and get a condition assessment with photos.
Localized damage sometimes qualifies for a HeatShield cerfractory seal or a stainless patch, but only if the liner wall thickness is still within spec and the damage is accessible. We won’t recommend a repair without camera evidence you can see yourself. For widespread corrosion, separated joints, or any liner that fails NFPA 211 structural standards, replacement is the only compliant fix. Call (678) 679-0171 for a free second opinion on any written estimate.
Most Famco liner replacements in Alpharetta are completed in one day, though two-story homes with tight offsets or masonry repairs may run into a second day. We book the job only after you’ve approved the written scope and price, and we text when the technician is en route. Call (678) 679-0171 to check current availability.
We stock 6-inch and 8-inch Famco-compatible flexible liners in 316Ti alloy on our Alpharetta trucks, along with DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, and Olympia Chimney materials through Haven’s buying network. Rigid or custom-diameter liners typically arrive within 2-3 business days. We’ll confirm exact fit during the initial camera inspection so there’s no guesswork when parts arrive. Call (678) 679-0171 to schedule.
Ready to get your Famco flue liner sorted? Call (678) 679-0171 for a free estimate. We’ll camera-scan the flue, show you what we found, and deliver a written price before any work starts. That’s been our practice since 2009, and it’s not changing now.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Emberly Chimney Cleaners Alpharetta at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Alpharetta, serving Alpharetta and nearby areas.





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