Services / Chimney Inspections
Chimney Inspections for Puget Sound Homes
Camera inspections for annual checkups and home sales, with a clear written report.
- How often
- Every year, and at any home sale
- You receive
- A written report with photos
- Camera scan
- Included at Level 2 and above
Most Chimney Problems Start Out of Sight
The parts of a chimney that fail first are the ones you can't see from the living room: the flue liner, the crown, the flashing, and the inside of the masonry. An inspection checks them and tells you in plain terms what is sound, what needs attention, and what can wait.
When to Book an Inspection
- It has been a year since the last one
- You are buying or selling a home
- You are changing the appliance or the fuel it burns
- After a chimney fire, an earthquake, or a storm that hit the roof
- Water stains or a damp smell near the fireplace
- The fireplace has sat unused for years and you want to use it
The Three Inspection Levels
A visual check of the readily accessible parts of the chimney and appliance. This is the yearly inspection for a system that is used the same way it always has been.
Adds a camera scan of the flue and a check of accessible areas such as the attic and crawlspace. This is the level called for when a home is sold, when the appliance or fuel changes, or after an event that may have damaged the chimney.
Used when a hidden hazard is suspected and can only be confirmed by opening part of the chimney or the building around it. It is rarely needed and always discussed with you first.
How It Works
- We ask how you use it.What you burn, how often, and anything you have noticed.
- We inspect.Your technician checks the chimney inside and out, with a camera where the level calls for it.
- We explain.You see photos of what we find and hear your options.
- You get a written report.It lists what is sound, what needs repair now, and what can wait.
Before Your Visit
- Don't burn for 24 hours before the visit
- Clear the area around the fireplace
- Make sure we can reach the attic or crawlspace for a Level 2 inspection
- Have any past reports or repair records on hand
What Affects the Cost
- The inspection level
- The number of flues
- Roof height, pitch, and access
- Whether a camera scan is included
If the inspection finds something that needs repair, you get a written estimate before any work begins.
Related Services
If the flue needs cleaning before it can be inspected properly, see Chimney Sweeping.
If the inspection finds masonry damage, see Chimney Repair & Masonry.
Common Questions
- How often should a chimney be inspected?
- Fire safety standards call for an inspection every year, even if you don't use the fireplace often.
- I'm buying a house. Is the home inspection enough?
- A general home inspection usually covers only what can be seen from the outside and the firebox. A Level 2 chimney inspection with a camera looks inside the flue.
- Do you inspect gas fireplaces?
- Yes. Gas appliances and their venting are inspected too.
- Will I get something in writing?
- Yes. You get a written report with photos.
- What if you find a problem?
- We explain what it is, show you the photos, and give you a written estimate. Nothing is repaired without your approval.
Serving the Greater Seattle and Puget Sound region.