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.
Olympia Chimney Flue Liner Replacement: The Pasadena Owner’s Guide
Olympia Chimney flue liner replacement in Pasadena typically runs $2,800-$5,200 installed, depending on liner diameter, height, and whether the existing clay tiles are intact enough to pull a new stainless liner through or need full removal. We stock Olympia Chimney-compatible 316Ti stainless liners in 5.5″, 6″, 7″, and 8″ diameters on our Pasadena trucks, and most replacements are completed in a single day. You’ll usually discover the problem during a sweep when the camera finds cracked clay tiles, gaps at the mortar joints, or orange-hot spots showing through thin spots in the liner wall.
Which Olympia Chimney Models This Applies To
Olympia Chimney manufactures UL-listed flexible stainless steel liners in their ProFlex and ArmorFlex series, plus rigid sections for straight runs. The critical match point is the collar diameter at the top plate, not just the flue tile opening. We’ve seen Pasadena homeowners order a 6″ liner that fit the flue but wouldn’t seat into an older Olympia top plate designed for 5.5″ - a $400 return-shipping mistake that delays your burn season.
Check the stamped spec on your existing top plate or the metal tag on the current liner (usually visible from the firebox with a flashlight). If your chimney was built between 1965 and 1995 in Pasadena, you likely have 8″×12″ or 8″×8″ clay flue tiles. Olympia’s ProFlex 316Ti handles wood, pellet, and oil; ArmorFlex adds the higher nickel content for gas condensing appliances. We source both through Haven’s buying network alongside DuraFlex and Gelco equivalents, and we’ll show you the alloy spec sheet before you commit. The camera doesn’t negotiate - it just shows what’s there.
Signs Your Olympia Chimney Flue Liner Replacement Is Failing

- White or tan efflorescence on the exterior brick. This is moisture carrying dissolved salts through the masonry. In Pasadena’s dry climate, visible efflorescence usually means a liner crack is letting combustion gases condense inside the wall, not normal weather penetration.
- Flakes of clay tile in the firebox or cleanout. Those shards are spalled liner material. Once the inner face of a clay tile starts shedding, the freeze-thaw cycle (yes, even Pasadena gets below 40°F in January) accelerates the damage every season you delay.
- Smoke odor in upstairs rooms when the fireplace isn’t running. A compromised liner loses draft. Instead of exhausting up, air reverses through gaps, carrying creosote smell into bedrooms. This is often misdiagnosed as a damper problem until the camera goes up.
- Hot exterior wall or mantel during a fire. Heat transfer through a cracked liner or missing mortar joint means combustible clearance is being violated. NFPA 211 calls for immediate discontinuation of use - this is not a “monitor it” situation.
- Water staining on the ceiling below the chimney chase. Liner gaps let rain run down the flue interior, bypassing the crown. In Pasadena’s occasional heavy winter storms, we’ve seen ceilings ruined in homes near the Arroyo Seco where the wind drives water sideways.
Before
AfterReplacement Cost & What’s Included
| Scope | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Flexible stainless liner (6″, single-story) | $2,800-$3,600 |
| Flexible stainless liner (6″, two-story or steep roof) | $3,400-$4,400 |
| Full clay tile removal + rigid liner system | $4,200-$5,200 |
| New top plate, rain cap, connector | $280-$450 (included in full quotes above) |
The range depends on three things we measure, not guess: liner diameter (larger = more material), whether we can pull through existing tiles or must break and remove them, and roof access. Steep pitches in the Bungalow Heaven neighborhood add rigging time. Every quote is written before work starts - Haven Standard Clause 1 - and includes the 365-Day Done Right Promise. You’ll receive photos of the full flue length, the new liner seated at the top plate, and the smoke test result.
DIY or Call Us?

You can safely check three things: the metal tag on any existing liner for diameter and alloy, the condition of your top plate from the roof edge with binoculars (missing cap, obvious rust), and whether your damper opens fully. Do not attempt to drop a liner yourself. The work requires working on a steep roof with a full harness, proper chimney scaffolding for two-story homes, and knowing when a clay tile is too degraded to pull through without collapsing and blocking the flue entirely.
We’ve extracted homeowner-purchased liners stuck halfway in chimneys near Washington Boulevard - the savings evaporate in emergency labor and a second liner. Corrine Halstead and our crew are background-checked, uniformed, and you’ll get a text when your tech is en route with a name and photo. Call (213) 459-6058 for a written estimate; the inspection and camera scan are included.
FAQs
A 316Ti stainless liner properly sized and installed should last 20-30 years in Pasadena’s climate, which lacks the freeze-thaw cycling that destroys liners in the Northeast. The bigger threat here is coastal salt air if you’re within five miles of the water, which can accelerate exterior corrosion at the cap. Annual inspection catches this early. Call (213) 459-6058 to schedule - estimates are free.
HeatShield cerfractory foam can seal minor gaps and resurface pitted clay tiles if the structural shell is intact. We won’t know if you’re a candidate until the camera inspection; roughly 30% of “cracked liner” calls we run in Pasadena qualify for repair rather than full replacement. The price difference is significant, and we’ll show you the footage so you can see why we’re recommending one over the other. Call (213) 459-6058 for an exact quote.
Most Olympia Chimney liner replacements are completed in 4-6 hours of on-site work. We book a full day to account for unexpected tile collapse or access complications, but you’re rarely looking at multiple days of crew presence. The inspection happens first; the replacement is scheduled separately so you have time to review the written quote. Call (213) 459-6058 to start.
We stock 316Ti flexible liners in the four most common diameters on our Pasadena trucks, plus Olympia-compatible top plates and connectors. Specialty sizes or rigid systems typically arrive in 2-3 business days through Haven’s buying network. We do not mark up materials; our prices reflect what we pay DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield. Call (213) 459-6058 to confirm availability for your diameter.
Level Two Chimney Pasadena is an independent service provider; we are not affiliated with Olympia Chimney. We source parts through Haven’s buying network to keep customer prices honest.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Level Two Chimney Pasadena at Level Two Chimney Pasadena, serving Pasadena and nearby areas.





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