Chimney and fireplace inspections for households in Harbordale
Water entry, deposits, clearances and damage are looked at in one visit, not one guess at a time.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What prompts a fireplace inspection
- Pieces of tile in the firebox
- White deposits on the chimney brick
- A house sale or purchase underway
- Rust stains running down the chimney
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Chimney inspection findings you can act on
Looking into the smoke chamber
Above the damper, the smoke chamber slopes inward to meet the flue. Its walls should be smooth enough to guide smoke upward. Rough, stepped or cracked walls hold deposits and can let heat reach the surrounding masonry.
We look at the chamber from below with a strong light and describe its shape and surface. If parging or other repair is advisable, it goes on the estimate as a separate line. If the chamber looks sound, the written record says that too.
Where the chimney ends above the roof
The Florida Building Code's chimney chapter sets how far a chimney must extend above the roof and nearby parts of the building. A chimney that ends too low can draw poorly and can send sparks toward the roof.
We look at the height of the chimney relative to the roof around it when the top can be reached. We describe what we see without quoting measurements. If height is a concern, we explain the effect and what a correction would involve.
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.
Checking fasteners and flashing near the coast
Near salt air, fasteners and flashing edges can corrode before the parts they hold. A cap or chase cover with sound metal but rusted screws can still lift in a strong wind.
We check the fixings as well as the parts they fasten and note any that have lost their grip. The estimate explains which parts and fixings need replacing and which metal suits a salt-exposed setting. Rust streaks below a fastener can be an early sign, before the part itself loosens.
Parts checked during your inspection
- Flashing at the roof junction
- Mortar joints on each reachable face
- Each flue matched to its appliance
- Metal liner top plate and cap
Chimney inspection questions asked in Harbordale
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.
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.
What if your findings differ from an earlier opinion?
Show us the earlier findings. We look at the same parts and explain where we agree, where we differ and why. The goal is a clear basis for your decision.
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