Everything You Need to Know About Chimney Video Inspections

If you have a working fireplace, chances are you’ve had your chimney swept. But have you ever had a video inspection done? Some pros now recommend video inspections to ensure that your fireplace and chimney are in good—and safe—working order. Here’s everything you need to know about chimney video inspections.

What Is a Chimney Video Inspection?

During a chimney video inspection, your chimney pro will run a camera up your chimney to look around. The camera provides a more in-depth view of the flue than if the pro simply looked up the chimney.

The flue is the largest component of your chimney, and basically runs up the inside of your chimney between the brick and the inside of the chimney. Your flue can get cracked, clogged, or have buildup that can be dangerous if you burn logs. A video inspection allows your pro to see any and all of these problems and fully assess what your chimney needs.

What Are the Components of a Chimney?

While you may think of your chimney as simply a straight tunnel that allows smoke from your fireplace to escape into the atmosphere, chimneys are actually very sophisticated and composed of many parts. These include the crown, cap, flue, flue liner, smoke chamber, lintel, ash pit, mantle, and more. Since chimneys are complex systems, hiring a chimney sweep just once a year may not be enough to keep yours in working order.

How Often Should You Get a Chimney Video Inspection?

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, you should inspect your chimney annually to practice good fireplace maintenance. This includes both wood-burning and gas fireplaces, as buildup, debris, and damage can occur to both types of fireplace systems. Once you have a chimney video inspection, your pro can recommend any cleaning or repairs you need to do before you use your fireplace.

If you don’t have your chimney inspected annually, you should definitely schedule an inspection if:

• You see water on the floor around your fireplace or in your fireplace

• You smell something funky

• Smoke is flowing in the wrong direction and coming back into your home

• Your chimney looks deformed from the outside, like it’s starting to lean or warp

• Your fireplace is becoming discolored, as this could indicate the presence of rust, mold, or other buildup

All of these things are potentially dangerous and if you see them, you should not use your fireplace and schedule an inspection immediately with a local chimney pro.

What Time of the Year Should You Have a Chimney Video Inspection?

While it may seem counterintuitive, having your chimney swept during the spring or early summer is the ideal time of year. Some companies offer discounts during the warmer months because they’re less busy, and doing your inspection at this time of the year will ensure that you don’t get caught in a backlog because the company is too busy right before the cold weather hits.

How Much Does a Chimney Video Inspection Cost?

For a single flue, chimney video inspections usually run between $200 and $400. The pricing goes up if your chimney has multiple flues, and can reach as high as $1,000 for four flues. Any cleaning or repair work is not included in the pricing, and repair work can go as high as $5,000 if it’s extensive.