Chimney inspection in Midtown, explained at the hearth
A written record of what was inspected, what was found and what stayed out of reach.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Changes worth an inspection visit
- A smell from the fireplace after rain
- White deposits on the chimney brick
- Sounds of animals in the flue
- A chimney that seems to lean
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Our approach to a fireplace inspection
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.
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.
Debris that keeps falling into the firebox
Pieces of tile, mortar, brick or rusted metal in the firebox come from somewhere above. Their material tells us where to look. Tile points to the lining, mortar to joints or the smoke chamber, and rust flakes to the damper or cap.
Keep a few pieces for us to see. We match them to their source during the inspection and explain what is failing and why. The repair estimate then addresses the cause, not only the debris. Until then, keep the fireplace unused, because falling pieces mean something above is failing.
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.
What an inspection visit includes
- Cap, screen and fasteners
- Flashing at the roof junction
- Concealed parts named as concealed
- Top-mounted damper and cable
Before you arrange a chimney inspection
How do you decide which repairs come before others?
We rank findings by their effect on safe use, then by how quickly they will worsen. A fault that lets heat reach combustible material comes before a cosmetic one. You get the reasons with each item.
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.
Can I watch while the chimney is inspected?
Yes. You are welcome to follow along, and we point out parts as we go. Seeing the crown or the smoke chamber once makes the findings much easier to understand.
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