Chimney Inspections With a Camera — Not a Flashlight

You cannot see inside your own flue — which is exactly where the problems hide. Creosote glaze, cracked flue tiles, gaps at the joints, a smoke chamber packed with decades of buildup. A real inspection puts a camera up the flue and eyes on the roof, then hands you the evidence in a written report with photos.

Chimney Pros performs all three NFPA 211 inspection levels. Level 1 is the annual visual check and safety assessment (our $69 winter special). Level 2 adds a full video camera scan of the flue, required when buying a home or changing how you use it. Level 3 is invasive inspection when hidden damage is suspected. Every inspection ends with a photo report and straight answers — never a scare-tactic upsell.

Warning signs it can't wait

• Black or dark-brown sticky dripping inside the firebox or on the hearth — creosote buildup
• A smell like burnt plastic or tar coming from the chimney, especially on humid days — glaze or heavy deposits
• White or gray powdery staining on the outside of the chimney — mortar decay or internal moisture
• Rust stains running down the exterior brickwork — flashing leak or internal metal corrosion
• Smoke backing into the room instead of drawing up the flue — obstruction or draft problem
• Chunks of mortar or brick missing from the flue or exterior joints — structural failure
• A hollow or ringing sound when tapping the chimney structure — missing interior flue liner or separation
• Visible cracks in the flue tile visible at the roof or damper opening — hazardous fume leakage

Seeing two or more at once? Stop using the fireplace and call — that combination usually means the system is struggling or unsafe to run.

What we check

• Creosote glaze — condensed unburned fuel coating the flue walls from slow-burning fires
• Cracked or missing flue tiles — structural breakdown that allows toxic gases and heat escape
• Deteriorated mortar joints — weathering and freeze-thaw cycles breaking down the bond
• Missing or damaged chimney cap — allows water, animals, and debris into the flue
• Chimney flashing leak — gap or failure where the chimney meets the roof
• Smoke chamber buildup — decades of soot and ash blocking airflow
• Chimney settling or leaning — foundation shift or structural movement in the masonry
• Damper malfunction — rust, debris, or misalignment preventing proper closure
• Blockage from animal nests or debris — obstructs draft and creates fire hazard

What chimney inspection costs

Chimney inspections start at $69 for a Level 1 winter special and range up to $199 for a full Level 2 camera scan. All quotes are flat, posted upfront, and approved in writing before any work begins.

What you get

How it works

See the difference