Chimney inspection in Seven Isles, 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
What prompts a fireplace inspection
- A fireplace you have not used yet
- A smell from the fireplace after rain
- A rusted or stuck damper
- A chimney that seems to lean
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What happens during a chimney check
Inspecting the damper and its frame
The damper should open fully for a fire and close firmly when the fireplace is idle. We work it through its range and look at the plate, the frame and the handle or cable. Rust, warping and gaps around the edge are recorded.
A rusted damper is often a sign of water entering from above, so the finding points us to the top as well. We explain whether the damper can be repaired, whether it limits safe use and whether a different kind of damper would suit the flue better.
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.
Identifying each flue during the inspection
One chimney can hold several flues, and each serves a different opening or appliance. We match every flue to what it serves before describing its condition. A crack in one flue does not mean the next one is cracked, and the reverse is true as well.
The written record lists the flues by what they serve. If a flue appears to serve nothing, we say so. Unused flues still need their tops protected, or they become a path for water and animals.
Checking the spark screen at the top
The screen on a chimney cap stops embers leaving the flue and keeps animals out. A screen that is torn, rusted through or missing lets both happen. One that is clogged with soot can slow the draft.
We look at the whole screen when the top can be reached and note its condition. Cleaning, repair or replacement are separate items, and we explain which one fits what we found. If the cap itself is sound, a screen repair may be all it needs.
Items on the chimney inspection list
- Mortar joints on each reachable face
- Visible clearances to combustible material
- Signs of water entry inside and out
- Top-mounted damper and cable
Chimney inspection questions asked in Seven Isles
Will you look at a fireplace that has an insert?
Yes. We look at the surround, the visible connection and the liner top. Some parts cannot be seen without moving the insert, and we tell you which. Moving it would be a separately agreed step.
Can the inspection trace an odor coming from the fireplace?
It aims to. Tell us when the smell appears. We look at deposits, water in the masonry, debris on the smoke shelf and air moving down the flue, then explain which source the evidence supports.
Does the inspection include looking at the flue lining?
Yes, along the length that can be seen from each end. We note cracks, open joints, missing sections and heat damage, and we say how far the view reached.
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