Chimney inspection in Broadview Park, explained at the hearth
Know what is sound, what needs repair and what could not be seen before you approve anything.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Changes worth an inspection visit
- White deposits on the chimney brick
- Cracks in the crown or brick
- A missing or loose chimney cap
- Scorch marks near the fireplace opening
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Our approach to a fireplace inspection
Inspecting the damper and its frame
The damper should open fully for a fire and close firmly when the fireplace is idle. We work it through its range and look at the plate, the frame and the handle or cable. Rust, warping and gaps around the edge are recorded.
A rusted damper is often a sign of water entering from above, so the finding points us to the top as well. We explain whether the damper can be repaired, whether it limits safe use and whether a different kind of damper would suit the flue better.
When a masonry flue has no lining
Some masonry chimneys turn out to have no lining at all, or a lining that stops short. Under the Florida Building Code, a masonry chimney is meant to have a lining. A bare flue lets heat and smoke reach the brick and mortar directly.
We explain what we saw and how it affects use. Lining options are discussed only as a next step, with a separate estimate. Until a decision is made, we tell you plainly whether the fireplace should be used.
Finding the listing label on a factory-built unit
Most factory-built fireplaces carry a label with the maker, model and listing information. It is often inside the opening or behind a lower panel. The label tells us which manual applies and which parts are approved for the unit.
If the label is missing or unreadable, some things cannot be confirmed, such as whether parts are original. We say what we could and could not identify. Look for any paperwork that came with the house, because a manual can fill the gap.
Paint or coatings on chimney masonry
Some chimneys have been painted or given a film-forming coating. BIA guidance on coatings for brick warns that films can trap moisture in the masonry. Peeling, blistering or stained paint on a chimney can be a sign of that.
We note the coating and its condition and look for damage beneath it where it has failed. Removing or replacing a coating is a separate job. We explain whether the coating is part of the problem or simply cosmetic. Adding another coating over a failing one is not something we would suggest.
What an inspection visit includes
- Flashing at the roof junction
- Deposits and blockages in the flue
- Chase cover and chase siding
- Hose water test where the job needs it
Chimney inspection questions, answered plainly
What happens if you find an animal in the chimney?
We stop before anything is disturbed. Some species and active nests are protected, so the next step may be a wait, a referral or an animal removal visit. The entry point is noted for repair once the flue is empty.
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.
Is a quick look from the ground enough?
It can spot a missing cap, a leaning stack or loose brick. It cannot show cracks in the crown, gaps in the flashing or the condition of the lining. We tell you what a ground view could not confirm.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Gas Fireplace VentingAssess and repair the gas fireplace vent arrangement using components suited to the identified system.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
We 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