Chimney inspection that starts with your question in Homestead Base
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
When a chimney inspection makes sense
- A fireplace you have not used yet
- Smoke coming into the room
- White deposits on the chimney brick
- Plans to add an insert
Jump to
From hearth to crown, the inspection explained
Checking the lintel above the opening
Above the fireplace opening, a lintel carries the masonry over the gap. Heat and water can rust a steel lintel or crack the masonry around it. A sagging line above the opening or cracks running up from its corners are worth a close look.
We look at the lintel where it can be seen and at the brick or stone around it. If the lintel is concealed behind a finish, we say so. Repair of a failing lintel is a separate job, and we explain whether it limits use of the fireplace.
The written record of what was inspected
After the visit, you receive a written record of the inspection. It lists the parts looked at, how each was accessed and what was found. Parts that could not be reached are listed too.
Keep it with the fireplace manual and any estimates. It gives the next person who works on the chimney a starting point. If you act on a repair, the record also shows what the condition was before the work. That before-and-after view is useful if a question about the repair ever comes up.
A fireplace that was sealed by someone else
A fireplace closed with a board, panel or masonry may have been sealed for a reason. It may have failed, leaked or simply fallen out of use. The reason is often not recorded.
Before reopening it, have the chimney inspected. We look at what can be reached from the opening and the top and explain what we found. If the seal must come off to answer the question, that is agreed as a separate step. We also check the top, because a sealed fireplace below does not stop water or animals entering above.
Looking at the base of the chimney
A masonry chimney rests on a footing at its base. Cracks near the base, a gap where the chimney meets the ground or settling of the hearth inside can point to movement below. The Florida Building Code's chimney chapter sets how chimney footings are built.
We look at what can be seen from the ground and from inside. The footing itself is usually buried and cannot be confirmed. If the signs suggest movement, we explain the concern and what further investigation would involve.
Inspection scope for homes in Homestead Base
- Firebox walls, floor and joints
- Visible clearances to combustible material
- Chase cover and chase siding
- Cleanout door or ash dump condition
Before you arrange a chimney inspection
Can you find where water is getting into the chimney?
Usually. We look at the crown, cap, flashing and masonry with the timing of the water in mind. When looking alone is not enough, a hose water test can narrow it down when the job calls for it.
Can the inspection trace an odor coming from the fireplace?
It aims to. Tell us when the smell appears. We look at deposits, water in the masonry, debris on the smoke shelf and air moving down the flue, then explain which source the evidence supports.
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
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting 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