Your chimney inspection cost will vary based on the type of inspection, how accessible the chimney is, the chimney size, and the number of flues.
Who Does Chimney Inspections?
Spoiler alert: it’s not Santa
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A professional chimney inspector checks for creosote buildup, cracked mortar joints, leaks, and structural issues to keep your home safe from fires.
Chimney inspection costs range from $80 to $6,000, with average costs around $450, depending on the inspection level your chimney needs.
You should schedule annual chimney inspections to catch problems early, prevent housefires and carbon monoxide poisoning, and extend your fireplace's lifespan.
Hiring a local chimney repair professional provides reliable support with identifying hidden damage and completing repairs that keep your chimney safe and functioning properly.
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Chimney inspections are important for keeping your chimney safe and functioning. Otherwise, problems like creosote buildup, cracked mortar joints, and leaks may go undetected for months or even years, leading to potential structural and safety issues. Scheduling an inspection annually will keep your home cozy and smoke-free. So who does chimney inspections? Here, we’ll go over the basics of chimney inspections so you can make sure you find the right person for the job.
Benefits of Hiring a Chimney Professional
Hiring a chimney professional offers several important benefits:
Ensures your chimney is in safe, working order
Prevents housefires and carbon monoxide poisoning
Removes pests, debris, and dangerous creosote buildup
Identifies issues with brick and mortar, damper system, and flue
Reduces the risk of long-term structural damage and expensive repairs
Prevents personal injury from DIY chimney cleaning
Increases fireplace efficiency and extends the lifespan of the flue liner
Ensures proper tools and techniques are used
Meets homeowner insurance requirements when filing a claim
Can I DIY a Chimney Inspection?
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If you’re looking to save money, you may be wondering if you can do a chimney inspection yourself. While it’s a good idea for any homeowner to perform regular checks of all their home systems, this is one area where it’s best left to the pros. You may feel comfortable checking the overall structure and function of the chimney yourself, but remember that certified professionals are trained to spot potential issues that you may not. Plus, walking around on the roof poses its own safety risks, and it’s just not worth it.
The cost of a chimney inspection depends on the level of inspection you need, so there is a wide price range. Most local chimney professionals charge between $80 and $6,000 for an inspection, but the average chimney inspection cost is closer to $450.
Can I Hire a Roofer to Inspect a Chimney?
A roofer may be able to do a chimney inspection depending on their certifications and the condition of your roof and chimney, though that’s not always the case. While an experienced roofer would likely notice external damage to your chimney or the surrounding area, that isn’t their primary focus.
A roofer should be able to repair flashing and shingles around a chimney and may spot issues like water damage that you might miss. But, ultimately, it’s safer to hire a specialist, especially if you have an old brick or stone chimney that may require special maintenance.
How Do Chimney Professionals Perform a Chimney Inspection?
Chimney inspections identify issues like blockages, creosote buildup, structural damage, and other potential hazards. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recognizes three levels of chimney inspections. Here’s what to expect from a chimney inspection:
| Level 1 Chimney Inspection | Level 2 Chimney Inspection | Level 3 Chimney Inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Standard inspection | Detailed inspection | Specialized inspection |
| Examines structural soundness | Includes assessment of the flue, attic, and crawl spaces | Performed when there’s damage or an obstruction present |
| Checks for efficient operation | Required when making changes to the system | Involves special tools and removing parts of the chimney or a wall |
| Identifies obstructions | Common in real estate transactions or if the chimney is damaged | Only necessary when a suspected problem can’t be accessed with a Level 1 or 2 inspection |
Chimney repairs reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.7★ avg. • 13 total reviews
- Julio V.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The Waterworks - Brent C.
Carpet repair done well. Scheduling was easy. Showed up on time.
BR Flooring Installation - Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - Donald L.
Ace Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace Services - Nathaniel A.
100% satisfied with the work done by Supreme Brick & Chimney. Josh responded to my Angi request very quickly and squeezed our house into his schedule only a couple business days out. The chimney cleaning process was extremely clean with ZERO dirt going anywhere besides in Josh's vacuum. Very...
Supreme brick & chimney - Lisa S.
On Sunday 2/26 I requested quotes via Angi from 4 refrigerator repair businesses. Northwest Appliance responded to me Monday morning (2/27) and my refrigerator was repaired by noon the same day. Great communication, they did everything they said they would. The technician had the parts on...
- Nicholas B.
Great experience all together. Dog friendly, courteous, great results and honest with recommendations. Will certainly be using Cardinal in the future for any carpet repairs
Cardinal Carpet Care & Repair - Michael H.
Description says they handle window repair including rotten hardwood - they called me back right away but didnâ t leave a voicemail. I followed up 3 days later and they said they donâ t do that kind of work.
Window-Gurus - Bill H.
They arrived on time repairs performed quickly very porvesinal
Property-Tech Industries - David S.
Mike and his crew did a great job working through a very challenging task. The job required a full demolition of our ceiling, removing the blown in insulation and removing all the material from the site daily. It involved multiple inspections from the city and many challenges to get the...
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