Inspections and sweeps

A yearly chimney check is a good habit if you burn wood. Soot and creosote build up inside the flue, and creosote can catch fire. Animals, nests and loose tiles can also block the flue without any sign from the room below.

The three inspection levels

The levels come from the NFPA 211 standard. source

• Level 1. A visual check of the parts that are easy to reach, inside and out. Fine for a yearly check when nothing has changed.
• Level 2. Adds a video camera down the flue, plus attics and crawl spaces where reachable. The usual pick when buying or selling a house, after a chimney fire, a storm or an earthquake, or when changing fuel types.
• Level 3. Opens up walls or parts of the chimney to look inside. Rare, and only when a hidden problem is suspected.

When to book

• Once a year if you burn wood
• Before using a fireplace in a newly bought home
• After a chimney fire or a big storm
• When smoke enters the room or a smell lingers in summer
• When adding a stove or insert

Sweeping

A sweep brushes and vacuums soot and creosote out of the flue. Ask if a Level 1 inspection is included. If you need it done before heating season, ask about wait times.

Who to ask

Ask whether the sweep holds a Chimney Safety Institute of America credential. It is a common industry standard, and CSIA lists credentialed sweeps by area. source

Buying an older home

Some St. Louis homes have chimneys that have not been used in years. A Level 2 check before closing can show cracked tiles, missing liners or loose brick, which helps with repair talks.

What to ask for afterward

• A written report with photos or video
• A list of repairs, sorted by urgency
• A price for each repair, not only a total

Gas fireplaces and furnaces

Gas logs and appliances that vent through a chimney still need checks. Vents can rust, clog with nests or pull apart, and a blocked vent can push fumes back inside. Ask the sweep to check every flue in the chimney, not only the fireplace.