Chimney inspection for a home sale in Home Beautiful Park
An inspection for a sale, a purchase or a change of use, with the scope agreed at the start.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Moments that call for a safety inspection
- Pieces of tile in the firebox
- A house sale or purchase underway
- A fireplace sealed by a previous owner
- Scorch marks near the fireplace opening
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Chimney inspection findings you can act on
Inspecting the crown at the top of the chimney
The crown is the top surface of a masonry chimney that sheds water away from the flue. The Florida Building Code's chimney chapter describes it as sloped, with a way for water to drip clear of the walls. Cracks and gaps around the flue let water in, and a flat top holds it there.
We look at the crown when the roof can be reached safely. Hairline cracks and wide splits lead to different repairs, and we explain which one applies. If the crown cannot be reached, the record says so and we explain what that leaves unknown.
Preparing the house for the inspection visit
A little preparation helps the visit. Leave the fireplace cold and clear loose items from the hearth. Make sure we can reach the attic opening and the roof access point, and keep pets in another room.
Find any manuals, labels or earlier records you have. Do not remove panels or trim to look for them. If someone has told you not to use the fireplace, mention it, because it may point to the problem we should look at first. Any earlier advice, even if informal, helps us start in the right place.
Inspecting a fireplace that has sat unused
A fireplace left unused for a long time can change without anyone noticing. Water may have entered through the top, animals may have nested in the flue and the damper may have rusted in place.
The inspection looks at each of these before the fireplace goes back into use. We check the top, the flue and the damper and explain what they need. You then know whether a cleaning, a repair or nothing at all comes before the next fire.
Inspecting a metal chimney liner
A metal liner in a masonry chimney should be a listed product, and its instructions say how it must be sized, connected and capped. We look at the top plate, the cap and any visible part of the liner for damage, rust or separation.
We also ask what the liner serves, because a liner sized for one appliance may not suit another. If the listing label or paperwork is available, we check the liner against it. Where we cannot see the whole run, the record says so.
Items on the chimney inspection list
- Damper operation and seal
- Mortar joints on each reachable face
- Lintel above the fireplace opening
- Signs of animals or nesting
Before you arrange a chimney inspection
Is the initial chimney inspection really free?
Yes. The initial inspection of the accessible parts, the findings explained on site and a written estimate for any work cost nothing. Further investigation, such as pulling an insert, is a separate choice with its own price.
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.
Do you look at the crown during the inspection?
Yes, when the roof can be reached safely. We look for cracks, failed sealant where the crown meets the flue and a top that holds water. Hairline cracks and wide splits call for different repairs, and we explain which applies.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting masonry.
- Chimney Liner Installation and ReliningPlan a compatible chimney liner installation with the existing passage, connections and maintenance access considered together.
- Top-Sealing Damper InstallationFit a top-mounted damper only after checking the fireplace, product restrictions and control route.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair identified smoke-chamber surfaces with the access and material requirements clearly defined.
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