Chimney Inspection
Know exactly what's in your chimney — before the next fire
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4.9 · 1,665 Google reviews
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CSIA certified
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Licensed & insured
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Price confirmed before work
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Santa’s favorite chimney crew
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Cleared for reindeer landing
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No soot on Santa’s boots
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Cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer
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Stockings hung, flues swept
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Merry Christmas & happy hearth-days
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Jingle all the way up the chimney
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Warm fires, cozy nights
●
Santa’s favorite chimney crew
●
Cleared for reindeer landing
●
No soot on Santa’s boots
●
Cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer
●
Stockings hung, flues swept
●
Merry Christmas & happy hearth-days
●
Jingle all the way up the chimney
●
Warm fires, cozy nights
●
Santa’s favorite chimney crew
●
Cleared for reindeer landing
●
No soot on Santa’s boots
●
Cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer
●
Stockings hung, flues swept
●
Merry Christmas & happy hearth-days
●
Jingle all the way up the chimney
●
Warm fires, cozy nights
●
Santa’s favorite chimney crew
●
Cleared for reindeer landing
●
No soot on Santa’s boots
●
Cookies for Santa, carrots for the reindeer
●
Stockings hung, flues swept
●
Merry Christmas & happy hearth-days
●
Jingle all the way up the chimney
●
Warm fires, cozy nights
Pricing, before you commit
Our prices are published, not hidden
Not sure which inspection you need? Our inspection pricing page recommends the right level for your situation and shows what it costs. No email, no callback.
The craft, done properly
WHAT A CHIMNEY INSPECTION IS
A chimney inspection is a safety assessment of your entire system — firebox, damper, flue, crown, cap, flashing, and exterior masonry. It comes in three levels. Level 1 is the yearly check for a system you already use: a visual inspection of every accessible component, with the findings explained on site. Level 2 adds a camera scan of the full flue interior, with written findings — required for a home sale, after a chimney fire or storm damage, or when anything about the system changes. Level 3 is invasive and rare: targeted openings to expose concealed hazards, used only when a camera shows hidden damage.
Every Brown Chimney inspection is performed by a CSIA-certified technician, and Level 1 and Level 2 fees are credited toward repair work booked within 30 days. A Level 2 camera inspection includes a video record of the flue. Gas fireplaces get their own dedicated safety assessment, covering burner, pilot, ignition, valve, venting, and safety shutoffs. The price of every level is on our inspection pricing page, with a calculator that shows which level your situation calls for in 30 seconds.
Level 2 camera inspection after a home purchase
The Work
What a chimney inspection actually does.
An inspection turns guesses into answers. Most chimney problems — a cracked liner, a failing crown, early creosote glazing — are invisible from the living room. They announce themselves years later as leaks, smoke, or repair bills three times the size. A proper inspection catches them while they're still small line items.
Every Brown Chimney inspection ends the same way: the findings explained on site, anything worth watching pointed out, and a separate line-item quote if work is needed. Nothing gets fixed without your approval. If heavy buildup turns up, a professional cleaning clears it. And if repairs are needed, the inspection fee is credited toward repair work booked within 30 days.
Related reading: the warning signs your chimney needs attention — the symptoms our crews hear about most, and what each usually means. Hiring for the first time? Here are the questions worth asking any chimney company before they set foot on your roof.
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When to book
When do you need a chimney inspection?
The CSIA recommends an annual inspection for every chimney — used or not. Beyond the calendar, these are the situations that call for one now. If any sound familiar, book a visit and get a clear answer before the next fire.
It's been more than 12 months since your last inspection
You're buying or selling the home
You've had a chimney fire, lightning strike, or storm damage
Smoke, odors, or draft problems you can't explain
You're switching fuel type — wood to gas, or gas to wood
Water stains on the ceiling or walls near the chimney
After a fire, sale, or fuel change, a Level 2 camera inspection is the required standard — the flue interior has to be seen, not assumed. Your technician confirms the right level on-site before any work begins.
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Half the chimneys we inspect are fine. We tell you that too — that's the point of an honest inspection.
Brown Chimney
The Brown Chimney Standard
Not the cheapest. The one homeowners call first.
Same crew, every visit
You get a W-2 technician you'll recognize next year — not a rotating cast of subcontractors.
No-mess guarantee
Drop cloths down and a HEPA vacuum running from start to finish — the soot stays in the chimney, not on your floor or furniture.
Findings explained on site
The technician walks you through what was found before leaving, with a same-day repair quote if anything needs work.
Transparent pricing
Price is quoted in writing before we start. No 'while we're up there' surprises.
What to expect
What happens during a chimney inspection?
A standard Level 1 visit runs 45–60 minutes from door to door. Here is every step, in order — the same sequence whether your chimney passes clean or needs work.
01
Exterior check from the ground
Crown, cap, flashing, and exterior masonry checked visually from the ground. A roof-level inspection is a separate add-on and is included in a Level 2.
02
Firebox & damper inspection
Interior check of the firebox, damper operation, and smoke chamber. Gas units are inspected visually; testing the burner, pilot, ignition, valve and safety shutoffs is a separate gas fireplace safety inspection.
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03
Flue evaluation
Visual assessment of the flue from both ends. If the interior needs to be seen in full, a camera scan is offered — never assumed.
04
Findings & repair quote
Every component gets a clear verdict, explained on site. No vague 'concerns' — a finding you can act on, with a same-day repair quote if anything needs work.
For transparency
What this visit doesn't cover.
Repairs themselves — the inspection finds and quotes them; work starts only after your approval
A camera scan of the flue — available as an add-on when the flue interior needs to be seen
Cleaning — most clients book the sweep for the same visit; it's priced separately
FAQs
Common questions about chimney inspections
How is a chimney inspection priced?
By level. Level 1 is the yearly visual check, Level 2 adds a camera scan of the full flue with written findings, Level 3 opens walls only when a camera shows hidden damage, and gas fireplaces get their own safety assessment. Level 1 and Level 2 fees are credited toward repair work booked within 30 days, and the price of every level is on our inspection pricing page.
How often should a chimney be inspected?
Once a year, per the CSIA — whether you use the fireplace or not. Animals nest in idle flues, mortar deteriorates, and water finds failing crowns regardless of burn schedule. Annual inspection is the baseline; more often after storms or heavy burning seasons.
What's the difference between Level 1, 2, and 3 inspections?
Level 1 is a visual check of all accessible components — the annual standard. Level 2 adds a full camera run of the flue interior, required after fires, home sales, or fuel changes. Level 3 is invasive and rare — used only when Level 2 confirms a concealed hazard.
Do I need an inspection if I never use my fireplace?
Yes. Animals nest in unused chimneys, mortar joints deteriorate, and water enters through failing crowns whether or not you burn. The CSIA recommends an annual inspection regardless of use — and a Brown Chimney Level 1 visit settles the question.
What happens if the inspection finds a problem?
The technician walks you through the findings on site and gives you a separate line-item quote for any repair the same day; a Level 2 adds written findings with the camera footage. Nothing gets fixed without your approval — and if you book repair work within 30 days, the inspection fee is credited toward it.
Related Services
Often paired with chimney inspection.
A safer hearth — for 2026
One visit. Zero guesswork.
Every Brown Chimney inspection is performed by a CSIA-certified technician — with the findings explained on site and a same-day repair quote if anything turns up. Book online or call, and know exactly where your chimney stands.
