What a Dallas Chimney Inspection Checks
A chimney has more parts than most people think. Our chimney inspection covers each one, from the hearth inside your living room to the cap on the roof.
- Firebox. Cracked firebrick, loose mortar and gaps in the back wall.
- Damper. Whether it opens, closes and seals.
- Smoke chamber and flue. Creosote buildup, cracked clay tiles, gaps and blockages.
- Chimney cap and crown. Rust, missing mesh and cracks that let water in.
- Flashing and masonry. Gaps where the chimney meets the roof, and worn mortar joints.
- Clearances. Wood framing, trim or a mantel too close to the heat.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America and NFPA 211 both recommend a yearly chimney inspection. That is the same standard our CSIA certified technicians follow.
How Our Chimney Inspection Works
Every inspection follows the same steps, so you always know what you are paying for.
- Protect the room. Drop cloths from the door to the hearth and a HEPA vacuum running.
- Check from inside. We look at the firebox, damper, smoke chamber and the lower flue.
- Run the camera. A camera goes up the flue to look for cracked tiles, gaps and blockages.
- Check from the roof. We look at the cap, crown, flashing and brick for storm damage.
- Show you the photos. You get before and after photos and a written price for anything that needs work. No upselling.
The Three Levels of Chimney Inspection
NFPA 211 sets three levels of inspection. The level depends on what has changed with your chimney, not on how much you want to spend.
| Level | What it covers | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Readily accessible parts of the chimney, inside and out, plus a camera check | Yearly, when nothing about the system has changed |
| Level 2 | Everything in Level 1, plus a video scan of the full flue, attic, crawl space and roof areas | Home sale, new appliance or fuel, after a chimney fire or storm |
| Level 3 | Removal of parts of the chimney or building to reach hidden damage | Only when a Level 1 or 2 finds a serious hidden problem |
Our Level 1 inspection is included in the $99 chimney sweep. A Level 2 is priced before we start, after we know the height and the number of flues.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
A Level 2 chimney inspection is the right choice when you are buying or selling a home, after a chimney fire, after hail or high wind, or when you switch from wood to gas or add an insert. We run a camera through the entire flue and record what we see, so you get proof of the condition, not a guess. Read more about the triggers and the report on our Level 2 chimney inspection page.
Fireplace Inspection
The fireplace and the chimney work as one system, but many problems start in the room. Cracked firebrick, a stuck damper, worn gas logs or a mantel too close to the opening can all cause trouble. Our fireplace inspection covers wood and gas fireplaces, glass doors and factory-built units common in newer North Dallas homes.
Signs You Need a Chimney Inspection
Book an inspection now, not next winter, if you notice any of these:
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall next to the chimney
- White or brown stains on the outside brick
- Pieces of tile or mortar falling into the firebox
- Smoke that comes into the room instead of going up the flue
- A strong tar or campfire smell, worse on hot, humid days
- Hail or a big storm since your last inspection
- You are buying or selling the home
- More than a year since the last inspection
Why Dallas Chimneys Need Yearly Inspections
Dallas has two kinds of chimneys, and both wear out in their own way.
Older brick chimneys. Many 1940s to 1970s homes in Lakewood, Lake Highlands and the M Streets have masonry chimneys with clay tile flue liners. Tiles crack with age and heat. Spring hail and freeze-thaw nights crack the crown and let water into the brick.
Factory-built metal chimneys. Newer homes in North Dallas, Plano and Richardson often have a metal flue inside a wood-framed chase. The metal chase cover on top rusts, water gets into the wood, and the flue pipe can separate at the joints.
Our 100°F summers matter too. Heat and humidity speed up rust on caps and pull odors out of creosote. A yearly check catches these problems while they are small.
Chimney Repair After an Inspection
If we find damage, we tell you what it is, show you the photo and give you a free written estimate for the repair. Nothing is done without your OK. Common fixes after an inspection include chimney crown repair, new flashing, a new cap or chimney relining when flue tiles are cracked. See all of our chimney repair services.
Book a Chimney Inspection in Dallas
Chimney Sweep Keepers Dallas is a veteran-owned, family-run company at 6041 Village Bend Dr, near White Rock Lake. We are CSIA certified, licensed, bonded and insured, with a 5.0 Google rating from 34 reviews. We answer 7 days a week from 7 AM to 11 PM and often have same-day visits. Call (469) 206-2085 to book your chimney inspection.
