Chimney safety inspection for fireplaces in Medley
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
Changes worth an inspection visit
- Pieces of tile in the firebox
- A rusted or stuck damper
- Sounds of animals in the flue
- Rust stains running down the chimney
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How a chimney inspection in Medley is carried out
White deposits on the chimney masonry
A white, powdery deposit on brick or mortar usually means water has moved through the masonry and left minerals behind as it dried. BIA technical guidance explains that this efflorescence forms when water carries salts to the surface, and that it is usually not harmful in itself. It tells us water is getting in somewhere.
We note where the deposits appear and look for the water path above them. The crown, cap, flashing and mortar joints are the usual suspects. Cleaning the deposits off without fixing the water path only means they return.
When the flue needs cleaning to be judged
A thick layer of soot hides the surface of the flue. Cracks, gaps and missing joints can be impossible to judge under it. In that case, we tell you which parts could be seen and which could not.
If the unanswered part matters, a cleaning may need to come before a full judgment of the lining. We explain whether that is likely to change the decision in front of you. If it is not, we do not suggest it. That keeps the steps to the ones that actually help you decide.
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.
Glazed deposits found during inspection
A hard, glossy coating on the flue walls is a different finding from ordinary soot. It resists brushing and can hide the surface beneath. It also suggests the fires have been burning cool and smoky.
We note where the coating is and how far it extends. Removing it is a separate treatment, and in some cases relining is the better choice. We explain both options and suggest leaving the fireplace unused until you decide. The choice depends on the lining underneath as much as on the coating itself.
What an inspection visit includes
- Cleanout door or ash dump condition
- Findings explained at the fireplace
- Top-mounted damper and cable
- Metal liner top plate and cap
Chimney safety inspection questions
Do you go up on the roof during an inspection?
When the roof can be reached and walked safely, yes, because the crown, cap and flashing are often where problems start. If it cannot, we look from the ground or a ladder and say what that view could not show.
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.
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
- Gas Fireplace InstallationCreate a complete gas fireplace installation plan for the room, appliance and connected systems.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
- Top-Sealing Damper InstallationFit a top-mounted damper only after checking the fireplace, product restrictions and control route.
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
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