We’re Here to Perform Your Annual Chimney Inspections

Many people don’t realize the importance of regular chimney inspections. These need to be a regular part of your home maintenance routine, as they ensure your system runs efficiently and safely all year, while saving you money on repairs in the process.

During these, an experienced and certified chimney technician will thoroughly examine your system for any potential blockages, as well as any other problems that could result in poor performance or in dangerous allergens or pollutants entering the house. An inspection can also identify places where there is damage by heat, moisture, or a lack of maintenance, helping to reduce significant heat loss and costly energy bills.

Additionally, a qualified chimney technician will check for existing damage that isn’t immediately visible and remove any buildup of creosote and soot. If they find damages from previous fires, they will also form a plan for repairs, as well as fire prevention down the line.

Long story short – annual inspections are vital to making sure your family enjoys a cozy atmosphere without facing serious risks in the process.

What Is a Chimney Inspection?

Customers who don’t use their fireplace often can usually get by with a level 1 chimney inspection. This is a visual check only of the fireplace and chimney and doesn’t require any special equipment or climbing up on the roof.

At Chimney Masters, our chimney technician inspects your chimney with a flashlight, looking for viewable damage, obstructions, creosote buildup, and soot. This will determine if the chimney requires sweeping services. We do sometimes see where something needs repair; however, for most chimney and venting system issues, a camera will need to be run up the flue to make any concrete assessments. We may also need to access the roof.

Our technicians with trained eyes and experience will inspect and verify what they can see, ensuring all is up to par, so that you can use the chimney and venting system for burning. Some of the visual inspections will include:

• checking the levels of creosote and examining for a puffy or honeycomb appearance (which indicates a chimney fire has occurred)
• searching for warped metal parts or accessories inside your chimney
• inspecting for cracked or collapsed flue tiles or tiles with sections missing
• checking your chimney rain cap for discoloration or distortion
• assessing any damaged TV antennas
• checking for creosote flakes and pieces found on the roof or the ground
• checking any roofing materials that look damaged from hot creosote
• checking for any cracks in the exterior masonry
• looking for any damage that might allow smoke to escape through mortar joints or tile liners

How Much Does a Chimney Inspection Cost?

Costs vary depending on roof accessibility and the type of chimney that needs to be inspected. Call today for our FREE estimate.

Are You Buying a Home? Avoid Buyers Regret With a Level 2 Inspection

A home purchase is a large investment. Once you have settled on a home that you want to live in and agreed on a price, the deal is still not final. Before purchasing a new home, we recommend that every home buyer have a professional level 2 chimney inspection completed to evaluate the structure of the fireplace and chimney before closing.

A broken chimney can be costly to repair, but more importantly, it can be a fire hazard. Here are some tips that you can look for during your initial walk-through:

• Check the mortar to ensure it’s not crumbling and loose.
• Look for an undamaged and well-secured chimney cap on top of the chimney.
• Examine the chimney for evidence of smoke and creosote staining on the exterior.
• Check the fireplace hearth to make sure it is sound and has no loose brick.
• Check that the mantel is secure.
• Check the firebox to make sure it has no cracked or damaged bricks.
• Examine the chimney liner for any obvious signs of damage.
• Check the damper to make sure it is operational.

If you are purchasing a home with a gas fireplace, we recommend that the damper have a damper clip installed to allow gas to dissipate from the fireplace while the pilot is lit.

The bottom line is that any or all defects will have elevated levels of repair costs attached to them. The prospective buyer should note their existence before signing on the dotted line to ensure these are worked into the final cost of the home. An inspection of your chimney will determine if there are any key defects or dangers that can have safety or repair impacts on you.

We Excel in Customer Service

Our chimney and fireplace inspections include full disclosure of the condition of all the components of your chimney, and they provide you with the necessary estimated costs of repairs for your price negotiations. Our goals for every job include customer safety, excellence in service, fair prices, and long-term commitment.

Ready to work with us for all things chimney? Call 301-972-9158 or reach out online now.

As part of our chimney and fireplace services, we are often asked to help with gas fireplace services. No problem…we have the expertise to get it done right.