Inspecting the chimney and fireplace in Dolphin Isles
No repair package decided in advance, only findings from your chimney and choices that follow from them.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Reasons to have the chimney inspected
- A rusted or stuck damper
- Plans to add an insert
- Flaking brick faces on the chimney
- A chimney that seems to lean
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Inspecting your chimney in Dolphin Isles, part by part
Inspecting a cleanout door or ash dump
Some masonry chimneys have a cleanout door low on the flue or an ash dump below the firebox. These openings give access for cleaning. A door that no longer closes, or one that is rusted open, lets air, water or animals in.
We open the door if it moves freely and look at what has collected inside. A door that is stuck is not forced. Its condition is noted, and repair or replacement is listed separately if you want it.
Stains on walls or ceilings near the chimney
A brown stain on a ceiling or wall beside the chimney usually means water has traveled from the roof line or the chimney into the house. The stain may be some distance from where the water enters.
Tell us when the stain appeared and whether it grows after rain. We look at the flashing, crown and masonry above it and at the attic if it can be reached. The findings explain the most likely path and how to confirm it.
Signs of animals found during inspection
Nest material, droppings, feathers or fur in the firebox or on the smoke shelf point to animals using the chimney. So does a torn or missing cap screen. We note what we find and where.
If an animal may still be inside, we stop and explain the next step before anything is disturbed. Once the flue is empty, the entry point and any cleanup can be priced. A screened cap is often the repair that stops it happening again. The written record notes the entry point so it can be dealt with at the right time.
Using the inspection to plan maintenance visits
An inspection gives a baseline. It records the condition of the lining, the top, the damper and the masonry on one date. Later maintenance visits can compare against it, which makes gradual changes easier to spot.
Ask us what the findings suggest for upkeep. Some chimneys need cleaning more than repair, and some need the top watched more than the flue. We suggest a maintenance visit pattern based on what we saw and how you use the fireplace, and we write it down.
The parts a chimney check reaches
- Crown condition at the chimney top
- Cap, screen and fasteners
- Exterior brick, stone or stucco
- Each flue matched to its appliance
Common questions about chimney checks
What if part of the chimney cannot be seen?
We tell you which part, why it could not be seen and whether it matters for your question. The written record lists it. If more access is needed, we explain what it would involve and what it would cost.
Does the inspection check clearances to wood and trim?
It checks the clearances we can see, such as trim around the opening and framing visible in an attic. Clearances inside finished walls are usually concealed, and the written record says so.
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.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
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