Inspecting the chimney and fireplace in Alameda
We check the lining, damper, crown, cap and flashing and explain how each affects safe use.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What people notice before an inspection
- Pieces of tile in the firebox
- Cracks in the crown or brick
- A house sale or purchase underway
- A strong storm has passed through
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Inspecting your chimney in Alameda, part by part
Checking the cap, screen and fasteners
A chimney cap keeps rain, debris and animals out of the flue, and its screen stops sparks. We check that the cap is secure, that the screen is intact and that soot or debris is not closing it. The code sets a minimum open area for a spark arrestor screen, so a clogged one matters.
Loose fasteners, rust and missing mesh are recorded with their location. A cap that is missing altogether is noted as well. Replacement or repair is quoted separately, and we explain what it would change.
Flues that serve another appliance
A chimney may carry a flue for an appliance other than the fireplace. The Florida Building Code's fuel gas volume covers how gas appliances vent through chimneys. Each flue should serve the equipment it was built or lined for.
We identify each flue and what connects to it, as far as access allows. If a gas appliance vents into the chimney, we note the condition of its flue and the top. We also tell you when the appliance itself needs a gas service visit. We do not guess at connections we cannot see.
Inspecting the hearth and hearth extension
In front of the opening, the hearth extension gives sparks and embers a surface that will not burn. We look at its material, its condition and whether it covers the floor area it should. Cracks and loose joints can let heat or embers reach material beneath.
A hearth that has been altered, covered or cut short is noted. We explain what the code expects of a hearth without quoting measurements. Any repair or rebuild is its own estimate, and we tell you whether the condition affects use now.
Rust on metal parts of the chimney
Rust on the damper, lintel, cap or chase cover tells us water has been reaching that part. The rust itself can weaken the metal until it fails. Rust stains running down the chimney face come from the same source.
We note each rusted part and how far the rust has gone. The estimate addresses the part and, where possible, the water that caused it. Replacing a rusted part without stopping the water only delays the next failure. We explain which comes first when both are needed.
The inspection scope agreed at the start
- Mortar joints on each reachable face
- Visible clearances to combustible material
- Each flue matched to its appliance
- Findings explained at the fireplace
Questions about fireplace inspections
Do I have to use you for the repairs?
No. The inspection and any repair are separate decisions. The estimate is yours to keep and compare. Should you book it with us inside 72 hours of your free inspection, a 10% discount applies.
Will you look at a fireplace that has an insert?
Yes. We look at the surround, the visible connection and the liner top. Some parts cannot be seen without moving the insert, and we tell you which. Moving it would be a separately agreed step.
Can a small repair be done during the inspection visit?
Sometimes, when the repair is small, you approve it on the spot and the schedule allows. Otherwise it is booked for another visit. Either way, the price is agreed in writing before any work starts.
Proudly American
Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
Call Now (645) 465-4171We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo