Chimney safety inspection for fireplaces in Coral Gables
Every repair we suggest comes with its reason and its own price, and you decide which to take on.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Moments that call for a safety inspection
- A house sale or purchase underway
- Roof work finished around the chimney
- A fireplace sealed by a previous owner
- No record of any earlier inspection
Jump to
What happens during a chimney check
Checking the firebox walls and floor
The firebox takes the direct heat of the fire. We look at the firebrick or panels for cracks, missing pieces and open joints. Gaps in a masonry firebox can let heat reach the material behind it. The Florida Building Code's fireplace section sets how firebox walls and their joints are built.
Soot patterns inside the firebox also tell a story. Smoke marks on the face above the opening, or streaks running down from the damper, can point to a draft or water issue further up. We note each observation and link it to what we find above.
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.
Inspecting a decorative fireplace that stays unlit
Some fireplaces go unlit and serve only as a feature of the room. The chimney above them still faces rain, sun and animals. Water entering through an unprotected top can damage the masonry and the room below.
An inspection of a decorative fireplace focuses on the top, the damper and signs of water. We also check whether the flue is closed off in a way that suits a fireplace that is not used. If you might light it one day, we explain what would need checking first.
Arranging a chimney inspection in Coral Gables
Phone us or use the form, giving your address in Coral Gables and a line about what worries you. We arrange a time for the free inspection and tell you how to prepare. If the fireplace has been ruled unusable by someone, say so, because it changes where we start.
On the day, we confirm the reason for the visit before looking at anything. At the end, you hear the findings, receive a written record and get an estimate for any work we suggest.
Parts checked during your inspection
- Exterior brick, stone or stucco
- Chimney height relative to the roof
- Hose water test where the job needs it
- Flue size compared with the opening
What people ask before an inspection
What should I do before the inspection visit?
Leave the fireplace cold, clear loose items from the hearth and make sure we can reach the attic opening and the roof access. Find any manuals or records, but do not remove panels or trim to look for them.
How do you decide which repairs come before others?
We rank findings by their effect on safe use, then by how quickly they will worsen. A fault that lets heat reach combustible material comes before a cosmetic one. You get the reasons with each item.
Does the inspection include looking at the flue lining?
Yes, along the length that can be seen from each end. We note cracks, open joints, missing sections and heat damage, and we say how far the view reached.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Sweep and Chimney CleaningArrange careful chimney cleaning in Miami with a defined scope, protected work area and useful findings.
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
- Chimney Flashing RepairRepair the chimney-to-roof connection with a scope that accounts for the adjoining roofing and masonry.
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