Fireplace inspection and chimney check in Mission Bay
Tell us what worries you about the fireplace and the inspection is planned around that question.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Signs that call for a chimney check
- A house sale or purchase underway
- Roof work finished around the chimney
- A strong storm has passed through
- Cracks in the wall beside the fireplace
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Chimney safety inspection, step by step
Findings explained before we leave
At the end of the inspection, we go through what we found at the fireplace and, where useful, outside. Each finding is linked to the part it concerns and to what it means for use. You can ask questions while the evidence is in front of you.
We separate confirmed defects from things that look suspect but cannot be confirmed. We also say what is in good order. A list of problems without that context is hard to act on, so we give you the whole picture.
Signs of movement in the chimney structure
A chimney that leans, pulls away from the house wall or shows long diagonal cracks may be moving. Loose courses of brick at the top and gaps where the chimney meets the siding are other signs.
We describe what we see and how far it extends. Movement can have several causes, and some need a deeper look than a free inspection can give. We explain what we can conclude, what we cannot and what the next step would be. Until the cause is known, keep people and belongings clear of any loose masonry at the top.
How an inspection visit is organized
An inspection follows a set order. We confirm your reason for the visit and look at the room, the hearth and the firebox. Then we check the damper and smoke chamber, the flue from below, the attic if there is one and the top from the roof.
The length of the visit varies with how many flues there are, how easy the access is and what turns up. We tell you at the start what to expect. You are welcome to follow along, and we point things out as we go.
Cracks in the wall around the fireplace
Cracks in plaster or drywall around a fireplace can come from ordinary settling, from heat or from movement in the chimney. Their shape and position help tell them apart. A crack that grows, reopens after patching or runs from the corner of the opening deserves attention.
We note where the cracks are and look at the fireplace and chimney for related signs. The findings say which explanation the evidence supports. Where the cause cannot be confirmed from the surface, we say so and explain how it could be watched or investigated.
From firebox to cap, what gets inspected
- Attic view of the chimney where reachable
- Lintel above the fireplace opening
- Cleanout door or ash dump condition
- Findings ranked by effect on use
Inspection answers for homes in Mission Bay
Do you inspect factory-built fireplaces too?
Yes. We look for the listing label and the model, check the panels, firebox, damper and visible chimney sections, and compare them with the manual. Repairs have to use the manufacturer's listed parts.
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.
Is a chimney that serves a gas appliance included?
Yes. We identify the flue and look at its condition and the top as far as access allows. The appliance itself is a separate gas service matter, and we tell you when it needs that visit.
Proudly American
Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
Call Now (645) 465-4171We 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