Chimney Inspection

Chimney Inspection questions

Does a home inspection include the chimney?

Only to a point. A standard home inspection notes what is visible from the firebox and the roof, but it is not a chimney inspection. A dedicated chimney inspection examines the flue, liner, damper, cap and crown properly. You can add it to the same visit rather than booking twice.

What is the difference between a chimney inspection and a chimney sweep?

A sweep cleans the chimney. An inspection tells you its condition. Most companies that appear for chimney searches are sweeps, who inspect and then quote for the cleaning or repair. We do neither, so the report is just what we found, and you choose who does the work.

What is a Level 2 chimney inspection, and do I need one?

Level 1 is a visual check of readily accessible parts. Level 2 adds the attic, crawlspace and a camera scan of the flue interior. NFPA 211, the national standard, lists the sale or transfer of a property as a Level 2 trigger, so it is the one that usually matters when you are buying.

How often should a chimney be inspected?

Once a year is the standard advice from NFPA 211 and the Chimney Safety Institute of America, whether or not you use the fireplace often. Houston homeowners burn few fires a season, but moisture, animals and storm damage do not wait for the cold weather.

How much does a chimney inspection cost?

A chimney inspection is $229 added to your home inspection, or $295 as a standalone visit. Adding it to an inspection you are already booking saves $66 and means one appointment. We confirm the price when you book.

Can I inspect my own chimney?

You can check the obvious: a cap that has gone missing, visible cracking in the crown, staining on the wall near the chimney, or a damper that will not move. What you cannot see from the ground or the firebox is the flue liner, which is where the problems that matter usually are.