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 Leesburg Owner’s Guide
We stock and install Famco-compatible flue liner replacement in Leesburg, with most jobs running $1,800 to $3,400 installed depending on height, diameter, and whether the existing liner pulls out clean. In our experience across Loudoun County, we can usually source correct Famco sizing same-day and complete the swap in a single visit. Most homeowners in Leesburg discover the problem mid-winter: a smoky fireplace, a hot exterior wall, or a neighbor mentioning their chimney looks wrong.
Which Famco Models This Applies To
Famco built flue liners in several series over the decades, and the compatibility rules are not forgiving. The stamped model tag, usually found on the top termination cap or collar, will read something like FL-6, FL-8, or a variant with a year suffix. We need the diameter to the quarter-inch and the total run from appliance throat to cap, because Famco’s older aluminum liners (pre-2005) do not mate with current stainless specs without a custom transition.
Here’s the gotcha we see in Leesburg’s older stock, especially the colonials near Morven Park: Famco used a proprietary collar depth on their 1980s and early 1990s flex liners. A generic aftermarket collar will seat, but it leaves a gap that collects creosote. We keep both OEM-pattern Famco collars and machined adapters on the truck for exactly this reason. For most Leesburg homes with a standard 6-inch or 8-inch run, a quality 316Ti stainless aftermarket liner from our inventory outlasts the original aluminum by a wide margin, and we price both options upfront so you choose.
Signs Your Famco Flue Liner Replacement Is Failing
- Smoke spilling into the room on startup. A breached Famco liner, often at a seam or elbow, loses the draft pressure that carries smoke upward. In Leesburg’s older two-story homes, this shows up first on the first fireplace when a second flue is pulling air.
- Hot masonry or siding near the chimney chase. When the liner’s insulation blanket degrades or the wall itself thins, heat radiates outward. We’ve measured exterior surface temperatures above 180 degrees on failed Famco runs in Loudoun County.
- White or orange staining on the chimney exterior. This is acid condensation eating through a compromised liner and leaching salts through the mortar. It means the liner is no longer protecting the masonry.
- Chunks of clay or metal in the firebox. Famco’s early flex liners can fatigue at stress points, especially where a chimney offsets around a framing member. What falls down has already failed.
- Carbon monoxide detector alerts near the hearth. A liner with gaps or collapse can reverse draft under certain pressure conditions. This is not a nuisance call. This is the one that demands immediate inspection.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
| Scope | Typical Range in Leesburg |
|---|---|
| Straight 6″ Famco liner replacement, single story | $1,800 - $2,400 |
| Two-story or offset run, 6″-8″ | $2,400 - $3,100 |
| Complex chase, custom termination, or rigid relining | $3,100 - $3,400+ |
| Level-2 camera inspection with photo report | Included |
What moves the number: height adds material and rigging time; offsets require more labor than a straight drop; and if the existing Famco liner has corroded in place, extraction takes longer than a clean pull. We quote the full installed price before we start, including the new liner, proper insulation pack, termination cap, and sealing. The 90-Day Done Right Promise covers the work in writing. No arguing, no paperwork chase.
DIY or Call Us?
A homeowner can safely check the model tag location and measure the flue opening with a tape measure. Do not climb the roof to inspect the cap yourself. The liner runs through a confined, high-temperature space, and a dropped section can block the flue entirely or damage the chimney structure. In Leesburg, we’ve been called after a well-meaning owner wedged a mismatched section that jammed two feet down and cracked the clay thimble.
The actual replacement requires proper sizing, insulation calculation, and a camera-verified seal at both ends. We carry Famco-compatible diameters from 5-inch to 10-inch on the truck, and our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and equipped to complete most liner replacements in a single visit. Call (571) 701-7519 and we’ll talk through what you’re seeing.
FAQs
Original Famco aluminum liners installed in the 1980s and 1990s typically show failure between 15 and 25 years, especially with heavy wood-burning use. The 316Ti stainless replacements we install are rated for decades, though annual inspection is what actually protects your investment. Call (571) 701-7519 to schedule - estimates are free.
Small, accessible breaches in a stainless Famco liner can sometimes be patched with a compatible sleeve, but aluminum liners and any breach longer than a few inches require full replacement to meet NFPA 211. We document the damage with camera photos and give you a plain verdict on repair versus replace. Call (571) 701-7519 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
Most Famco liner replacements in Leesburg take four to six hours from setup to final camera check. A straight single-story run can finish sooner; a two-story with offsets or a stuck extraction takes longer. We book the full day so we are not rushing. Call (571) 701-7519 to schedule - estimates are free.
We stock Famco-compatible diameters and termination components for the common Leesburg configurations, and our supplier in Northern Virginia can source same-day for less common sizes. In most cases, we inspect, quote, and install within a single booking. Call (571) 701-7519 to confirm availability for your model - estimates are free.
Hearthstone Chimney Co. is an independent service provider. We are not affiliated with Famco. We also stock and install flue liner parts from DuraFlex, HeatShield, and Gelco.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Leesburg and nearby areas.





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