Chimney inspection for homes in Surfside

Inspecting after roof work or a strong storm

NFPA 211 calls for a chimney to be looked at after an event likely to have damaged it. A strong storm or a tree limb striking the top are examples, and roof work around the chimney deserves the same care. Damage from these can be hard to see from the ground.

Tell us what happened and when. We look at the cap, crown, flashing and masonry first, then the flue for anything that fell inside. The findings separate new damage from earlier wear, which helps when you decide what to repair.

Questions to ask when booking an inspection

Asking a few questions when you book makes the inspection more useful. These help set the scope.

If the answer to any of these is unclear, ask us to explain before the visit. A clear scope at the start saves confusion at the end. It also means the written record answers the questions you actually asked.

• Which parts of the chimney will be looked at
• Whether the roof and attic will be accessed
• What happens if a part cannot be reached
• How the findings and estimate will be given

Concealed construction around the fireplace

Parts of a fireplace are built to be hidden. Fireblocking around the chimney, the framing clearances inside walls and the base of a factory-built unit behind its finish are examples. The code sets how they are built, but they cannot be seen once the room is finished.

An inspection does not open finished surfaces. We say which concealed parts are relevant to your question and what signs of trouble we looked for around them. If those signs are present, we explain what opening up would involve before anything is disturbed.

Checking fasteners and flashing near the coast

Near salt air, fasteners and flashing edges can corrode before the parts they hold. A cap or chase cover with sound metal but rusted screws can still lift in a strong wind.

We check the fixings as well as the parts they fasten and note any that have lost their grip. The estimate explains which parts and fixings need replacing and which metal suits a salt-exposed setting. Rust streaks below a fastener can be an early sign, before the part itself loosens.