A chimney inspection you watch, from local Gainesville pros

Ever wonder what a chimney inspector actually looks at? On ours, you're welcome to follow along. Our local, family-run pros check the chimney, the fireplace and the venting as one system, from the cap to the hearth, and talk you through what they see as they go. There's no charge for the inspection, and any repair it turns up comes with a written price.

• Fireplace and chimney inspection as one connected system
• Chimney safety inspection ahead of the burning months
• Real estate chimney inspection for buyers and sellers
• Fireplace inspection of firebox, damper and hearth
• Chimney inspection for home sale deadlines
• Findings explained on site, repairs priced upfront

1. Start with your questions

   Our pro asks what you've noticed and how you use the fireplace, since that shapes where to look closely.

   01

2. Outside, from yard and roof

   Cap, crown, brick, flashing and chimney height are checked against FBC R1003 wherever the roof can be reached safely.

   02

3. Inside, firebox to flue

   Firebox, damper, smoke chamber and lining are checked under a strong light, plus attic clearances where there's access.

   03

4. Findings, then written prices

   Each finding is explained on the spot and sorted by urgency, and each repair comes with its own price.

   04

Why you want the inspection shapes how deep it goes, and NFPA 211 wants a deeper look in certain cases.

Flue lining

Clay tile, a UL 1777 listed metal liner or a listed factory-built flue, and FBC R1003.11 wants one suited to the appliance.

Damper

A metal plate you should be able to work from the room, checked for rust, warping and how tightly it closes.

Hearth extension

Noncombustible flooring in front of the opening, sized to that opening under R1001.10.

Connector and thimble

Where an insert or appliance ties into the flue, NFPA 211 looks at support, joints and pitch, and FBC R1003.16 covers the thimble.

Your inspection costs nothing either way. These decide how long it takes and how deep it goes.

1. 01

   Why you want it

   A yearly check covers the reachable system, while a sale or a past chimney fire calls for a closer look at more of it.

2. 02

   Ladders, hatches and safe footing

   A safe roof and an attic hatch near the chimney let our pros check more in one visit.

3. 03

   Brick or metal fireplace

   Factory-built units add the maker's label, listed parts and the chase top to the list.

4. 04

   Flues and appliances

   Each extra flue or connected appliance brings its own set of checks.

• Cap, crown and chimney height above the roof
• Brick, mortar and flashing on every reachable side
• Firebox, damper, smoke chamber and hearth extension
• Flue lining condition and the deposits on it
• Attic clearances and fireblocking where there's access
• Factory-built labels, listed parts and the chase top
• Findings explained on site, repairs priced in writing

• A home inspection report mentioned the chimney

  A general report noted something to follow up. Our pros look closer and tell you what it really means.

• No idea when it was last checked

  The chimney's history is unknown. A full look shows its condition before you rely on it.

• Smoke finding its way indoors

  Draft, damper or flue trouble. Our pros find which one and explain the fix.

• A crack spotted from the driveway

  Something up top has moved or worn. The inspection shows how far it goes.

• Plans for a new insert or stove

  The flue has to suit the new appliance. We check its size and lining first.

• Chimney Sweep and Chimney Cleaning Flue deposits brushed out, with your room kept clean.
• Chimney Repair Damage anywhere on the chimney traced to its cause and repaired.
• Chimney Liner Installation and Relining A listed liner matched to the fireplace or insert above it.

• Gas Fireplace Repair and ServiceVented gas fireplaces that won't light or burn right, repaired and serviced.

• Your fireplace, your CO alarm, and the first step if it sounds Carbon monoxide has no color and no smell. Here's how a wood fire or a gas unit can send it into the house, where alarms belong, and what keeps the risk low.
• Roaring flue, or a quiet fire you missed? What to do now Safety comes first if the chimney is burning right now. After that, here are the clues a quiet chimney fire leaves behind, and why the fireplace stays dark until someone has looked.
• What an inspection should cover, and why yours costs nothing Companies price inspections by how much there is to look at and how deep the look goes. We don't charge for ours, so here's what it covers and what's worth comparing instead.
• Why does my fireplace smoke? Read when it happens The timing of smoke helps describe the problem, but several causes can produce the same pattern. Stop using a fireplace that spills smoke and arrange an assessment.
• A sweeping schedule that fits how you actually burn The inspection happens every year no matter what. How often the brushes come out depends on your fires, and here's how to match the schedule to your habits.
• Chimney anatomy, sorted by where you're standing The yard, the attic and the hearth each show you a different set of chimney parts, and each part has its own way of telling you it's wearing out.

Chimney Guides