Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
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AfterTrusted Chimney Inspection Nationwide
A chimney inspection is a check of your entire venting system, from firebox to chimney cap, to confirm it’s safe to burn or to find exactly what’s wrong before it becomes a hazard. Alcott Chimney Sweep has served homeowners across the United States since 2002, and our inspectors are background-checked, identity-verified, and announced to you by name and photo before the truck ever rolls up. When you call (336) 863-3889, a live person answers, every time, day or night.
Fireplace Inspection
Fireplace inspection is the service that tells you whether the firebox, damper, smoke shelf, and visible flue are sound enough for another season of fires, and our inspectors photograph what they find so you never have to take anyone’s word for it. You should schedule one before your first fire of the season, after any unusual smell or smoke spillage, or as part of buying or selling a home. A standard fireplace inspection at Alcott Chimney Sweep typically runs $150 to $350 before any repairs.
Firebox and Damper Evaluation
The firebox takes direct heat every time you burn, and cracked refractory panels or a warped damper change how your fireplace draws. We check both for wear that’s normal and damage that isn’t.
Smoke Shelf and Draft Check
Creosote and debris collect on the smoke shelf, just out of sight but directly in the path of rising smoke. We inspect that area and test your draft so you know whether smoking back into the room is likely.
Chimney Inspection Services
Chimney inspection services cover the full path from where the fire starts to where the smoke exits, and at Alcott Chimney Sweep every one includes written pricing before work begins and a camera report you can see for yourself. Homeowners book them for annual maintenance, after storms, or when a home changes hands. Depending on the level of inspection required, plan on $150 to $450 for a thorough, documented inspection.
Real Estate and Property Transfer Inspections
Lenders and insurers increasingly want a documented chimney condition before closing. We provide the written report and photos both sides of the transaction can review, along with repair bids if anything needs attention.
Annual Safety Inspections
An annual chimney check, guided by a Chimney Inspection Maintenance Schedule: What to Do and When, catches creosote buildup, animal nests, and water damage before they become a chimney fire or a carbon monoxide leak. Most homeowners pair this with a sweep, and our inspectors will tell you honestly if you can wait.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Chimney Flue Inspection
Chimney flue inspection is the part of the job that examines the inner liner, the pipe that carries smoke and exhaust up and out, because a failed flue is where most chimney fires and carbon monoxide problems begin. You need one after any chimney fire, when you see flue tiles in the firebox, or if a sweep finds heavy glaze creosote. A flue-specific inspection with camera typically costs $200 to $400 at Alcott Chimney Sweep.
Liner Condition and Material Check
We inspect clay tile, stainless steel, and poured-in-place liners for cracks, gaps, and rust. We carry DuraFlex liner systems and HeatShield resurfacing materials when replacement or repair is the honest recommendation.
Creosote and Obstruction Assessment
Glaze creosote is the tar-like buildup that causes chimney fires, and it hides in flue corners and offsets. We measure buildup, identify blockage risks, and give you a written assessment before recommending any removal work.
Chimney Fire
Chimney fire is the event every inspection exists to prevent: a high-temperature burn inside the flue that can crack the liner, melt roofing, and spread into the house, and even a small one demands a professional evaluation before you burn again. After a chimney fire, the flue must be inspected for structural damage, and that’s a Level 2 inspection in almost every case. A post-fire inspection typically runs $250 to $450, and our crews respond fast because the next fire could be the dangerous one.
Post-Fire Structural Assessment
The intense heat of a chimney fire can split flue tiles and warp metal components that look fine from the outside. We inspect every inch of the flue with a camera and give you a written report on what survived and what didn’t.
Warning Signs Before a Fire
Loud popping or rumbling from the chimney, dense smoke, or an intense hot smell are all signs of a chimney fire in progress. If you hear or smell any of that, call (336) 863-3889 and stop using the fireplace until we’ve inspected it.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
Level 2 chimney inspection is the mid-tier inspection defined by the National Fire Protection Association, and it includes everything in a Level 1 plus camera scanning of the flue interior and checking accessible attic, crawlspace, and exterior chimney surfaces. It’s required when you’re selling or buying a home, after a chimney fire, after an earthquake or major storm, or when you convert to a different fuel type. A Level 2 inspection at Alcott Chimney Sweep typically costs $250 to $450.
Camera Scan of the Full Flue
We run a high-resolution camera through the entire flue, recording the condition of every joint and tile along the way. You see the video, not a summary of it.
Exterior and Attic Access Check
Where a basic inspection stops at the roofline, a Level 2 continues into the attic and across the exterior chase. That’s where leaks, rust, and framing damage usually show up first.
Chimney Leak
Chimney leak is the symptom that sends homeowners looking for answers after water stains on the ceiling, rust on the damper, or a musty smell near the hearth, and most chimney leaks trace back to failed flashing, a cracked crown, or spalling brickwork. Left alone, water intrusion rots framing, rusts the damper, and eventually undermines the flue liner. We find the source with a camera inspection, which typically runs $150 to $350, then quote the repair in writing before touching anything.
Flashing, Crown, and Brickwork Diagnosis
Chimney flashing is the sheet metal where the chimney meets the roof, and it’s the most common leak point we find. We inspect flashing, crown, and mortar joints and document every suspected entry point with photos.
Water Damage to the Liner and Firebox
Water that makes it past the exterior keeps going, rusting dampers, weakening mortar, and degrading the liner. We check the full interior path so the repair addresses the leak and the damage it already caused.
Chimney Camera Inspection
Chimney camera inspection is exactly what it sounds like: we run a high-resolution camera through the full length of your flue and record what we find, so you see the crack, the creosote, the nest, or the missing tile with your own eyes. It’s included in every Level 2 inspection and available as an add-on anytime you want proof of condition. Camera inspection runs $150 to $350 when booked as a diagnostic service.
See the Report, Not Just a Summary
We don’t ask you to trust a verbal description of a problem you can’t see. Our camera system captures the flue in real time, and we review the footage with you and answer questions on the spot.
When a Camera Makes the Difference
Some flue damage is invisible from the firebox and the roof, especially in chimneys with offsets or multiple appliances venting together. A camera sees what a flashlight and mirror can’t.
Brands We Service
We work extensively with DuraFlex liner systems, and our crews install and inspect them according to the manufacturer’s specifications, not shortcuts. When a DuraFlex liner shows wear or damage, we document the exact condition and quote repair or replacement with the same brand, supplied by our own stock.
We’re also experienced with HeatShield resurfacing, and our inspectors know how to evaluate whether a flue is a candidate for it. HeatShield restores cracked or missing mortar joints without a full liner replacement when conditions are right, and we’ll tell you plainly if your chimney qualifies. Whether you have Olympia Chimney components, Gelco products, or any other make, we can inspect it, service it, and repair it with materials specified for chimney work.
Signs You Need a Pro Right Now
- Smoke spilling into the room. This means your draft is failing, and the cause could be a blockage, a cold flue, or a competing exhaust source. Any of those can push carbon monoxide into the house, and that’s a reason to stop burning and call (336) 863-3889.
- A strong, tar-like smell from the fireplace, especially in humid weather. That smell is creosote, the combustible buildup that chimney fires are made of. If you can smell it strongly, you likely have enough buildup to require removal before the next fire.
- Water stains on the ceiling or walls near the chimney. Water is entering somewhere, and it travels. The visible stain is rarely the actual entry point, which is why a camera inspection of the flue and exterior is the fast way to the source.
- Debris falling into the firebox. Small pieces of flue tile, mortar, or brick showing up on the smoke shelf means the flue is deteriorating. Those fragments are a warning that the liner’s integrity is compromised.
- You hear animals in the chimney. Birds, squirrels, and raccoons nest in chimneys and bring flammable material with them. Their nests block the flue and can ignite, so it’s worth a camera inspection and a proper cap.
Our Process, Step by Step
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You call, a live person answers. There’s no voicemail tree at Alcott Chimney Sweep. You’ll reach a real human, day or night, and we’ll schedule the inspection at a time that works for you.
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You meet your technician by name and photo first. Before the appointment, we send you the technician’s name and photo. At the door, they’ll show you a photo ID badge. That’s the Threshold Standard, and it’s non-negotiable.
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We inspect and document everything. The technician will examine the firebox, damper, smoke shelf, flue, crown, flashing, and cap, using a camera on the flue for any Level 2 inspection or diagnostic call.
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You get a written price before any work. If the inspection turns up repairs, you’ll receive a written quote before anything gets touched. There are no surprise charges at the end, and the quote is always based on what we found and showed you.
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You get a written report and, if we repair, a written guarantee. Every repair comes with a written guarantee, and if the repair fails within the coverage period, the second visit is free. That’s the 365-Day Done Right Promise, included on every job.
How Much Does Chimney Inspection Cost?
A standard chimney inspection typically runs $150 to $350, while a Level 2 inspection with a full camera scan of the flue costs $250 to $450. If you’re dealing with a specific problem, like a suspected leak or post-fire damage, expect a diagnostic inspection with camera to fall in the $200 to $400 range. What affects the price is the chimney’s height, the number of flues, roof accessibility, and whether you need a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection. You avoid overpaying by working with a company that puts the price in writing before starting and shows you the camera footage that justifies any repair recommendation. Every Alcott Chimney Sweep estimate is free, includes the written price, and comes with a live person on the phone at (336) 863-3889 to answer your questions.
Where We Work
Alcott Chimney Sweep serves homeowners and businesses across the United States through local crews-including teams for our Chimney Inspection in Los Angeles-who carry the same Threshold Standard: background-checked, identity-verified, uniformed, and announced by name and photo before arrival. Wherever our teams go, the pricing is written before work begins, the guarantee is written on every repair, and the phone is answered by a live person, 24 hours a day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Inspection
A chimney inspection is a professional examination of the firebox, damper, smoke shelf, flue liner, crown, flashing, and cap to verify the system is safe and functional. Alcott Chimney Sweep offers Level 1 and Level 2 inspections, with camera scanning of the flue on any Level 2 or diagnostic call. You’ll see the video yourself before any repair is recommended.
Most standard inspections run 45 to 90 minutes, though a Level 2 with full camera documentation may take up to two hours depending on chimney height and access. We show you the findings on site and answer your questions before we leave. The written report follows the same visit.
Expect $150 to $350 for a standard inspection and $250 to $450 for a Level 2 with camera scan. Diagnostic inspections for leaks or post-fire concerns fall in the $200 to $400 range. Call (336) 863-3889 for an exact quote, and you’ll get a written price before any work begins.
Yes, we install, inspect, and service DuraFlex liner systems and HeatShield resurfacing products, along with components from Olympia Chimney and Gelco. We keep trade-grade materials from these brands in stock and follow each manufacturer’s installation specifications. Whether you have one of these brands or another make, we can help.
A live person answers at (336) 863-3889 around the clock, and if you’ve had a chimney fire, a leak, or an animal intrusion, we’ll get an inspector out as quickly as possible. We don’t run a voicemail queue, so you won’t be waiting on a callback when something is actively wrong. Emergency calls are prioritized.
Every repair we perform comes with a written guarantee, and if the repair fails within the coverage period, the second visit is free. That’s the 365-Day Done Right Promise, included at no extra charge on every job. The guarantee is written, specific, and handed to you before you pay.
Clear the area around the fireplace so the technician has room to work, and move any fragile items off the mantel. If you have pets, secure them in another room during the visit. You don’t need to stop using the fireplace days in advance, but it should be cool before the inspection begins.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Service Today
Call (336) 863-3889 to book your Chimney Inspection in Huntington Park or anywhere else we serve, and you’ll get a live person, a written price before work begins, and a technician announced to you by name and photo before arrival. Estimates are free, the guarantee on every repair is written, and the phone never goes to voicemail. We’ll inspect your chimney, show you what we find, and give you straightforward answers.
Written by Ruben Castellano, Owner at Alcott Chimney Sweep, serving homeowners nationwide since 2002.