A chimney inspection in Riviera Isles with findings explained

Chimney inspection terms worth knowing

An inspection names parts you may not have heard of. Knowing a few makes the findings easier to follow.

We are glad to show you where each part sits while we are there. Once you have seen the crown or the smoke chamber, later conversations about them are much simpler.

• The crown is the sloped top surface of a masonry chimney
• Flashing seals the joint between chimney and roof
• The liner is the inner surface of the flue
• The smoke chamber sits between the damper and the flue

Stains on walls or ceilings near the chimney

A brown stain on a ceiling or wall beside the chimney usually means water has traveled from the roof line or the chimney into the house. The stain may be some distance from where the water enters.

Tell us when the stain appeared and whether it grows after rain. We look at the flashing, crown and masonry above it and at the attic if it can be reached. The findings explain the most likely path and how to confirm it.

Damp masonry inside the fireplace

Dark, damp patches on the firebox walls or smoke chamber, a musty smell or a white crust on the brick all point to moisture. It can come from rain entering the top, from water moving through the masonry or from condensation.

We note where the moisture shows and trace it upward where access allows. The findings name the likely source and how confident we are. Repairs follow the source, not the stain. Sealing the inside surface while water still enters from above only moves the problem.

A chimney safety inspection in Riviera Isles

A safety inspection in Riviera Isles focuses on the conditions that affect whether the fireplace can be used. Those include the lining, clearances to combustible material, the damper, deposits in the flue and blockages at the top.

Each finding is marked by whether it affects use now. If something must be fixed before the next fire, we say so and put it in writing. Other items are explained so you can plan them at your own pace. A safety inspection does not replace the rest of the findings, and we list those as well.