Chimney safety inspection for fireplaces in Edgewater
Recommended work you approve no later than 72 hours after your free inspection comes with 10% off.
- 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 smell from the fireplace after rain
- A missing or loose chimney cap
- A house sale or purchase underway
- Rust stains running down the chimney
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What happens during a chimney check
Inspecting flashing where chimney meets roof
Where the chimney passes through the roof, metal flashing closes the gap. We look for lifted edges, open seams, missing sealant and rust. The details differ with the roof covering, so we note what the roof is made of around the chimney.
Water stains on a ceiling or wall near the chimney often trace back to this joint. We link the flashing findings to any interior stains you have seen. Repair would be priced separately, and we explain whether roof work is also involved.
Inspecting after a suspected flue fire
After a suspected chimney fire, the fireplace should not be used until the flue has been looked at. Heat can crack tiles, open mortar joints and warp metal parts in places no one can see from the room. The deposits themselves may look puffed and honeycombed.
We look for those signs along the reachable length of the flue and at the smoke chamber and damper. The record states what was found and what could not be seen. Any repair is priced separately, and we explain what must be done before the next fire.
Inspecting when smoke comes into the room
Smoke in the room is a sign that the chimney is not carrying it away as it should. Stop using the fireplace until the cause is known. The problem may be a blockage, a damper that does not open fully or a flue that is too small or too cold.
We look at each possible cause and tell you which the evidence supports. Some are simple to put right and some are not. The estimate explains the fix that matches the cause rather than trying several things at once.
Cracks in the wall around the fireplace
Cracks in plaster or drywall around a fireplace can come from ordinary settling, from heat or from movement in the chimney. Their shape and position help tell them apart. A crack that grows, reopens after patching or runs from the corner of the opening deserves attention.
We note where the cracks are and look at the fireplace and chimney for related signs. The findings say which explanation the evidence supports. Where the cause cannot be confirmed from the surface, we say so and explain how it could be watched or investigated.
Items on the chimney inspection list
- Flashing at the roof junction
- Findings ranked by effect on use
- Top-mounted damper and cable
- Metal liner top plate and cap
Chimney inspection questions, answered plainly
Will you tell me if the fireplace is unsafe to use?
Yes, plainly and in writing. When a finding rules out using the fireplace ahead of a repair, you hear it before we leave, along with what would change that.
Is an inspection the same as a chimney cleaning?
No. The inspection evaluates the chimney and fireplace. A cleaning removes deposits. If heavy soot hides the lining, we may suggest cleaning before the lining can be judged, and we say whether that would change your decision.
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.
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