Chimney inspection for homes in Sailboat Bend
An inspection that separates confirmed defects from open questions, so each decision rests on evidence.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Reasons to have the chimney inspected
- Sounds of animals in the flue
- Plans to add an insert
- A chimney that seems to lean
- Cracks in the wall beside the fireplace
Jump to
Inspecting your chimney in Sailboat Bend, part by part
Inspecting the flue lining
The lining is the inner surface of the flue that contains heat and smoke. In a masonry chimney it may be clay tile, a poured material or a metal liner. We look for cracks, gaps at joints, missing sections and signs of heat damage.
How much of the lining can be seen depends on access and deposits. We say how far the view reached from each end. If a section could not be seen, the record states it. We also explain whether cleaning ahead of time or another form of access would give a clearer answer.
Inspecting before a change in how you use it
Changing how a fireplace is used can change what the chimney needs. Adding an insert, going from occasional fires to regular ones or bringing a long-closed fireplace back into service are examples. Each puts different demands on the flue and the lining.
Tell us what you plan to do. The inspection then looks at whether the existing chimney suits that use. We explain any mismatch before you buy equipment or make changes, which is cheaper than finding out afterward. If the chimney suits the plan as it is, the record says that too.
How house air can affect the chimney
Exhaust fans, clothes dryers and closed interior doors change the air pressure in a house. A chimney can end up as the path air uses to get back in. Smoke and odor then come down the flue instead of going up.
If problems appear when fans run or doors close, tell us. The inspection considers the house as well as the chimney. The findings explain whether the cause is in the flue, in the house, or both. Some fixes are as simple as changing which window or door is open while a fire burns.
Fireplace inspection and chimney inspection together
Some people ask for a fireplace inspection and some for a chimney inspection, but the two are hard to separate. The fireplace and the chimney above it work together, and a fault in one shows up in the other.
Our inspection covers both unless you ask us to focus on one part. The written record lists the fireplace findings and the chimney findings under their own headings, so you can see where each problem sits. A fault in the fireplace is not blamed on the chimney, or the reverse, without evidence.
The inspection scope agreed at the start
- Crown condition at the chimney top
- Free written estimate for any work
- Top-mounted damper and cable
- Flue size compared with the opening
Common questions about chimney checks
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 you inspect the chimney for a house sale?
Yes. Tell us what the buyer or seller needs to know and any deadline. The scope is agreed at the start. Findings are explained and written down, and repairs come with a free written estimate.
What can you tell about a chimney that was sealed shut?
We look at what can be reached from the opening and the top and explain what we found. If the seal has to come off to answer your question, that is agreed as a separate step with its own price.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting masonry.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Chimney Leak RepairFind the chimney water entry point and plan a repair before restoring the damaged finish.
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