Chimney inspection and sweeping
A yearly look inside and on top of the chimney catches creosote, nests and damage before they become a fire or a leak.
Sweeping removes soot and creosote from the flue. Inspection is the bigger job: checking that the chimney is structurally sound, clear of deposits and built with the right clearances to wood framing. A good chimney company does both and tells you what it found.
How often?
NFPA 211 says chimneys, fireplaces and vents should be inspected at least once a year. CSIA recommends sweeping masonry fireplaces when soot reaches about an eighth of an inch, sooner with glazed creosote, and sweeping factory-built fireplaces whenever there's noticeable buildup. A wood stove burned daily through a Minnesota winter often needs sweeping every year, while a gas furnace chimney may need little sweeping but still needs inspecting.
What gets checked?
- Flue condition, including cracked or missing clay tiles
- Creosote and soot buildup
- Damper, smoke chamber and firebox
- Crown, cap, mortar and brick on the exterior
- Flashing where the chimney meets the roof
- Stovepipe connections and clearances for stoves and inserts
Buying a house?
A general home inspector usually looks at the chimney from the ground or the roof edge and doesn't look down the flue. If the house has a fireplace, wood stove or a furnace venting into masonry, a separate chimney inspection with a camera can show cracked tile or an unlined flue before closing. That's especially worth it in Rochester's older neighborhoods, where chimneys may be close to a century old.
After a chimney fire or a storm
A chimney fire can crack flue tiles without anyone noticing. Wind, hail and falling branches can damage a crown or cap. Either way, have the chimney inspected before you use it again.
The chimney company prices the job after looking at the chimney, usually from the roof and down the flue with a light or camera. We don't quote prices, and any figure you hear over the phone before an inspection is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Does a gas furnace chimney need inspecting?
Yes. NFPA 211's yearly inspection applies to chimneys and vents generally. Gas exhaust can deteriorate old clay tile, and nests can block the flue.
What's a CSIA-certified sweep?
A sweep who has passed the Chimney Safety Institute of America's certification exam. Ask for the certification number when you book.
Related services
- Tuckpointing and masonry repair
- Chimney crowns and caps
- Chimney liners and relining
- Chimney leak repair
More background: Rochester chimney guide.
Crumbling mortar, a stained ceiling or a stove due for a sweep?
Call now and a local chimney company will take a look and quote the work.