According to the National Fire Protection Association standard NFPA 211 (Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances), all chimneys, fireplaces, and heating vents must be inspected at least once annually. Even if you use your fireplace infrequently, birds, rodents, nesting materials, seismic micro-settling, and freeze-thaw moisture cycles can compromise the flue without your knowledge. Sweeping is mandatory whenever 1/8 inch (3mm) of flammable creosote deposit is measured anywhere inside the system.
A Level 1 inspection is a visual examination of readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior, firebox, and damper conducted during routine maintenance where no changes have occurred to the system. A Level 2 inspection is recommended upon sale or transfer of real property, after any operating issue, chimney fire, or storm event, or when changing fuel types. Level 2 includes internal video inspection equipment providing a clear view of the chimney interior, roofline clearances, and accessible attic framing spaces.
Never with Absolute Chimney Pros. We prioritize careful containment and cleanup throughout the service. Before beginning any cleaning, our technicians lay protective drop runners across your flooring, shield the fireplace surround, and operate high-powered dust-control vacuum systems to prevent soot and ash from entering your living space.
Clay tile damage is rarely visible looking up through the hearth with a flashlight. Most clay liner fractures occur mid-chimney, where heat differentials and structural expansion are greatest. Common symptoms include small terracotta clay flakes or reddish sand inside the firebox, difficulty drawing smoke, damp sulfur odors, or masonry mortar staining on exterior brickwork. Our Level 2 video inspection equipment provides clear footage of every flue joint, allowing you to see hairline fractures, missing mortar collars, or spalling tiles with conclusive certainty.
Clay tiles have dozens of mortar joints every two feet. Over years of thermal cycling and acidic flue gases, these mortar collars erode, allowing combustion gases to seep into adjacent wall cavities. A stainless steel chimney liner installation is designed for the specific requirements of the chimney system, creating a continuous conduit that eliminates failing joints. When properly insulated, it retains heat, accelerates draft velocity, minimizes creosote formation, and comes backed by our Satisfaction & Workmanship Guarantee.
If the chimney brick units are structurally sound and only the surface mortar joints have eroded or crumbled to a depth of 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch, tuckpointing and historic joint repointing will successfully restore weather-tightness and stability. However, if the chimney is leaning away from the structure, if internal moisture has caused bricks to crack through the core (spalling), or if the mortar bed has disintegrated completely below the roofline, a partial or total masonry teardown and rebuild is required to prevent catastrophic structural collapse.
Efflorescence is the crystallizing of natural mineral salts deposited on the brick surface as water evaporates from inside the masonry. While the white powder itself is harmless, its presence is a clear diagnostic warning that water is penetrating the chimney structure—typically through a cracked concrete crown, missing rain cap, porous mortar joints, or deteriorated flashing. If ignored, the trapped moisture will freeze in winter, expanding and fracturing the bricks from within.
Yes, in fact the vast majority of chimney water intrusion remains hidden inside the masonry structure for months or years before penetrating indoor drywall. Water seeping through unsealed crowns or missing caps trickles down between the exterior brick and the interior clay flue liner, rotting wood framing, corroding steel lintels, and dissolving firebox refractory mortar out of sight. By the time water stains appear on your ceiling, thousands of dollars of internal masonry damage may have already developed.
A complete, thorough Level 2 video inspection and chimney sweep typically takes between 60 to 90 minutes per flue. This includes careful containment setup, chimney examination, video inspection descent, rotary cleaning, and a clear review of findings with photographic documentation delivered directly to your email.
Yes. Most standard homeowner insurance policies cover sudden, accidental chimney damage resulting from lightning strikes, sudden chimney flue fires, or windstorm/tree impact. We provide detailed diagnostic reports containing video frame captures of damaged areas, clear photos, and formal itemized repair scopes to assist with insurance documentation.
Preparation is simple: 1) Avoid burning fires for at least 24 hours prior to our appointment so the firebox and masonry are completely cool to the touch. 2) Remove fragile decorations, family portraits, or mantel pieces from the hearth zone. 3) Keep pets secured in another room. Our technician will handle all protective flooring coverings, furniture blankets, and containment sealing.
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Our certified technicians and customer service specialists are ready to discuss your fireplace symptoms, review prior home inspection reports, or schedule an on-site video audit.