Chimney inspection for a home sale in Sunset
Get an honest picture of the chimney before the next fire, the next sale or the next repair.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What prompts a fireplace inspection
- Roof work finished around the chimney
- A strong storm has passed through
- Sounds of animals in the flue
- A fireplace sealed by a previous owner
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Inspecting the fireplace and chimney together
Inspecting a fireplace that does not draw
Smoke that spills into the room can have several causes. The flue may be small for the opening, partly blocked or cold. The chimney may end too low for its surroundings, or the house may pull air down the flue.
An inspection looks at each of these in turn. We compare the flue with the opening, check the damper and throat, look at the top and ask about fans and closed rooms. The findings explain which cause fits the evidence and which do not.
Where the crown meets the flue liner
Where the crown of a masonry chimney meets the flue liner, the Florida Building Code calls for a caulked bond break. A crown shrinks as it cures and moves with heat. Brick industry guidance explains that a bond break lets it move without distressing the brickwork, and that the joint at the liner should be sealed against water.
We look at the joint when the roof can be reached and note cracks, gaps and failed sealant. Cracks that ring the flue can point to a rigid joint rather than wear across the whole crown. We explain whether resealing the joint is enough or the crown itself needs work. Either repair is priced on its own.
When a hidden area needs more access
Sometimes the answer to your question lies behind a finished wall, under a hearth or above a bend in the flue. The free inspection cannot open those areas. We tell you what we suspect and why.
If more access is needed, we describe what it would involve, such as removing a panel or pulling an insert, and what it would cost. It becomes its own scope that you approve or decline. Nothing is opened up without your agreement. If the extra access turns up nothing, we say so and the record shows it.
A fireplace that was sealed by someone else
A fireplace closed with a board, panel or masonry may have been sealed for a reason. It may have failed, leaked or simply fallen out of use. The reason is often not recorded.
Before reopening it, have the chimney inspected. We look at what can be reached from the opening and the top and explain what we found. If the seal must come off to answer the question, that is agreed as a separate step. We also check the top, because a sealed fireplace below does not stop water or animals entering above.
Items on the chimney inspection list
- Flashing at the roof junction
- Exterior brick, stone or stucco
- Findings explained at the fireplace
- Findings ranked by effect on use
Chimney inspection questions, answered plainly
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.
Will you tell me if the fireplace is unsafe to use?
Yes, plainly and in writing. When a finding rules out using the fireplace ahead of a repair, you hear it before we leave, along with what would change that.
Should I have the chimney inspected after roof work?
It is a sensible step. Roof work disturbs the flashing and can leave debris or tarps on the chimney top. We look at the top, the flashing and the flue for anything that changed.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Cap Installation and ReplacementProtect the chimney opening with a cap chosen for its fit, attachment and compatible system.
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
- Chimney Sweep and Chimney CleaningArrange careful chimney cleaning in Miami with a defined scope, protected work area and useful findings.
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