Cracked tiles and gaps between them can't be seen without a camera.
Chimney play · Liner replacement
Chimney liner replacement leads from older homes with original flues.
Many homes built before 1990 still have the clay tile liner they were built with, and tiles crack. Spur finds long-time owners of older homes, writes an honest inspection offer, and mails it with a QR code so owners reach you before a problem.
Free forever plan · No card · 20 property searches a month
USPSFirst-Class
Hal Thompson9 Ridgeview DrAsheville, NC 28803Scan to book a camera inspection
Hal T. booked a camera inspection · 6 min ago
AI-written for this owner · Mailed in 2 days
Pre-1990homes often have the original clay liner
Camerascan shows cracks invisible from below
Earlyinspection costs far less than a repair after a fire
The problem
A cracked liner looks fine from the living room.
Most people think of the brick, not the flue inside it.
A new furnace, boiler, or insert may need a liner sized to it.
How it works
From list to mailbox in one workflow.
Five steps from an age filter to a booked liner inspection.
app.usespur.com
See it in Spur
A list of older homes for liner inspection
Sample Asheville, NC list: older owner-occupied homes owned ten or more years. Names are partly masked.
Built pre-1990Owned 10+ yrsOwner-occupiedSingle-familyMasonry chimney likely
- Hal T.9 Ridgeview DrBuilt 1962 · 1,900 sq ftOwned 31 yrsOriginal liner
- Ruth & Paul S.56 Maple RidgeBuilt 1974 · 2,200 sq ftOwned 28 yrsRetired
- Denise F.124 Hebron AveBuilt 1981 · 2,000 sq ftOwned 15 yrsFireplace
- Carl & Nina R.7 Pond View CtBuilt 1969 · 2,400 sq ftOwned 24 yrsFurnace flue
- Joyce T.11 Birch Hill CtBuilt 1986 · 2,300 sq ftOwned 12 yrsWood stove
AI draft for Hal T. · 9 Ridgeview Dr
Hi Hal,
Homes built before 1990 often still have the clay tile liner that was installed when the chimney was built. Tiles can crack or separate over decades, and the damage is invisible from the fireplace.
We'll run a camera through your flue and show you exactly what we see. If it's fine, we'll tell you so. If something needs attention, you'll see the photos and a written quote, with no pressure.
Scan the code to book a camera inspection.
Dana Whitfield · Ember & Flue Chimney Co. · (828) 555-0166
Sample data for illustration. Your results depend on your market and filters.
Playbook
How to find chimney liner work early
A flue liner is the inner surface of a chimney that carries smoke and gases out of the house. It protects the masonry from heat and corrosive combustion byproducts, and keeps those gases from leaking into the home. When a liner cracks or deteriorates, the chimney can no longer do that job, and the repair is one of the larger jobs in the trade.
Start with age. Clay tile liners were standard in masonry chimneys for decades, and a number of older homes have tiles that have cracked, shifted, or lost mortar between joints. Homes built before 1990 and owned for ten or more years are the best starting list.
Explain what the camera does. A video scan of the flue is the way to find problems that a visual check from the hearth can't. Offering to show the owner the footage and still photos makes the inspection concrete, and it is the most persuasive part of the visit.
Mention new appliances. A new furnace, boiler, water heater, or fireplace insert may require a liner of a particular size or material. A card aimed at owners who are replacing equipment, or at HVAC contractors who install it, reaches buyers with an immediate need.
Be honest about options. A stainless steel liner is the most common replacement, but some problems can be addressed with a cast-in-place or a repair of a few tiles. Offering the least costly sound option builds trust and brings referrals.
Talk about permits and codes. Liner work often involves local codes and sometimes permits, and it should match the appliance it serves. Saying so on the card shows you are a professional, and sets expectations about timing and cost.
Photograph and label every finding in the camera inspection, and send the photos by email the same day. Owners rarely understand a verbal description of a cracked tile, but they understand a picture. A clear set of images, with a plain caption for each, is the strongest sales tool this service has.
6×+return on a year of Spur Team from a single stainless liner install
One liner job funds the program for a year.
- Spur Team: $49/mo billed annually = $588/yr
- 300 liner inspection cards at $0.94 each = $282
- 1 stainless liner (~$2,500–$5,000) plus inspections pays for the year
Example math. Liner cost varies with chimney height and diameter. Run your own numbers →
One tool, not four
Spur vs. the usual liner marketing
What you needThe usual waySpur
Older homes by build year and tenureWait for the problem✓ Built in
Owner name and mailing addressPhone book✓ Built in
Camera-inspection offer per ownerGeneric sweep special✓ Built in
Scan alerts for same-day follow-upNo signal✓ Built in
Sweep customers move into repairSeparate lists✓ Built in
Liner Replacement by the numbers
Why early inspection wins
Level 2
inspections include a video scan of the flue
Pre-1990
homes often have original clay tile liners
6×+
return on a year of Spur Team from a single stainless liner install
FAQ
Chimney liner questions
How do I find chimney liner replacement leads?
Target long-time owners of homes built before 1990, then mail a camera inspection offer before a problem forces the call.
What is a chimney liner?
It is the inner surface of the flue that carries smoke and gases out and protects the masonry and the home.
How much does a liner replacement cost?
It varies with chimney size and the liner material, often in the low to mid thousands of dollars. Provide a written quote with photos.
Do I need permits?
Often yes, depending on the local code and the appliance. Say that on the card.
What does Spur cost for a chimney company?
Solo is free forever. You pay per postcard when you mail. Team is $49/mo billed annually with more searches, enrichments, and QR codes.
Keep exploring
Related plays and guides
Start in minutes. No card required.
Reach the owners before the liner fails.
Find long-time owners of older homes and mail a camera inspection offer. Free to start.
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