Chimney inspection that starts with your question in Victoria Park
Know what is sound, what needs repair and what could not be seen before you approve anything.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What prompts a fireplace inspection
- A rusted or stuck damper
- A missing or loose chimney cap
- A house sale or purchase underway
- Plans to add an insert
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What happens during a chimney check
Looking into the smoke chamber
Above the damper, the smoke chamber slopes inward to meet the flue. Its walls should be smooth enough to guide smoke upward. Rough, stepped or cracked walls hold deposits and can let heat reach the surrounding masonry.
We look at the chamber from below with a strong light and describe its shape and surface. If parging or other repair is advisable, it goes on the estimate as a separate line. If the chamber looks sound, the written record says that too.
Checking the cap, screen and fasteners
A chimney cap keeps rain, debris and animals out of the flue, and its screen stops sparks. We check that the cap is secure, that the screen is intact and that soot or debris is not closing it. The code sets a minimum open area for a spark arrestor screen, so a clogged one matters.
Loose fasteners, rust and missing mesh are recorded with their location. A cap that is missing altogether is noted as well. Replacement or repair is quoted separately, and we explain what it would change.
Inspecting a framed chase and its cover
A factory-built fireplace commonly vents up through a framed chase that hides its metal chimney. The chase has siding or stucco outside and a metal cover on top. We look at the cover for rust, standing water and gaps around the chimney pipe.
We also look for water stains, soft siding or damaged trim that suggest water has reached the framing. The framing itself is usually concealed, and we say so. Chase cover and chase repairs are separate items with their own estimates.
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.
Parts checked during your inspection
- Signs of water entry inside and out
- Attic view of the chimney where reachable
- Top-mounted damper and cable
- Metal liner top plate and cap
Chimney inspection questions asked in Victoria Park
What should I do before the inspection visit?
Leave the fireplace cold, clear loose items from the hearth and make sure we can reach the attic opening and the roof access. Find any manuals or records, but do not remove panels or trim to look for them.
Do you look at the crown during the inspection?
Yes, when the roof can be reached safely. We look for cracks, failed sealant where the crown meets the flue and a top that holds water. Hairline cracks and wide splits call for different repairs, and we explain which applies.
Can I watch while the chimney is inspected?
Yes. You are welcome to follow along, and we point out parts as we go. Seeing the crown or the smoke chamber once makes the findings much easier to understand.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
- Chimney Flashing RepairRepair the chimney-to-roof connection with a scope that accounts for the adjoining roofing and masonry.
- Top-Sealing Damper InstallationFit a top-mounted damper only after checking the fireplace, product restrictions and control route.
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
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