Chimney Check

Ensuring that your chimney is in good condition is essential for the safety of your home and when you sell your home, you should anticipate a home inspector will check the chimney. While you can visually identify some issues with chimneys and fireplaces, there are few actual repairs homeowners can do themselves. Chimneys can become clogged with debris, deteriorate over time, or develop dangerous problems such as a creosote build-up which could result in a chimney fire. Here are some things you can look for.

Exterior Inspection

Start by checking for any visible deterioration to the exterior of the chimney. Check for spalling where bricks have started to crumble or crack. Look for any gaps between bricks or masonry joints, and mortar that appears loose or displaced from its original position. These are all indicators that further investigation may be necessary. The shoulder of the chimney is a possible weak point where there may be missing or deteriorated brick. Probably not a good idea to actually go on the roof, but from inside the attic you can look for evidence of leaks where the chimney passes through the roof. Leaks are a good indication of flashing problems. Using binoculars or a drone, observe the crown (the concrete top of the chimney) for cracks or deterioration. The crown is the final water barrier. The chimney cap, the metal covering on top of the flue, should be firmly attached and in good condition.

Interior Inspection

While exterior inspection is important for spotting potential problems before they become more serious issues, interior inspections identify hazardous conditions that can't be seen from outside the house. Start by locating your damper—the metal flap located at the base of your flue—and making sure it opens and closes properly when manipulated by hand. TIP: before you do this, put down a floor covering like a painter's drop cloth to protect your floors and rug from any soot you may dislodge by your inspection. Visually inspect the firebox, that is the area where you build your fire. Look for cracks or other signs of deterioration such as loose bricks or firebricks that need replacing.

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🔎 Inspector Insight

Have a professional inspect the chimney!

During the home inspection, obvious problems such as deteriorated or missing bricks, dry rotted trim work or missing siding will be noted. If possible, the home inspector will get up on the roof and check the flashing, crown and cap. The firebox will be carefully inspected as will the functioning of the damper. At a minimum, a visual inspection of the flue looking for obvious problems and creosote built-up will be done.

Frequently, the home inspector will suggest a professional inspection of the chimney, particularly if they are unable to get up on the roof. It is not unusual for the buyer to ask for this to be done. The seller can decline to do so and the buyer has the choice to buy or not. Since no issues were identified by the home inspector, the seller is usually inclined to call a chimney sweep. If the sweep’s report recommends the installation of a steel chimney liner ($3,000 to $5,000) or other costly repairs, the seller has very little time to decide, shop for another contractor or price a deal.

This is why I recommend a chimney inspection well before a property goes on the market. The seller has the time to search out the best company, look for price deals and otherwise negotiate any needed or recommended repairs while not under the pressure of a time clock. If this inspection does not recommend an expensive repair, then the seller is in a much stronger position in responding to the home inspection.

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