Chimney crown
The crown is checked for cracks, shrinkage and gaps around the flue tile since water entering here damages the whole chimney.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Inspection Steger, IL
A Steger chimney sweep can inspect your chimney from the firebox to the cap, with the level of inspection matched to how the chimney is used. Dial (708) 708-7359 to be connected with a nearby chimney sweep.
The parts of a chimney that fail first are rarely visible from the living room. Flue tiles crack from heat and age, mortar joints erode, water gets in at the crown and flashing, and nests or debris block the flue. Those flaws can let heat reach nearby framing or push smoke and carbon monoxide into the house.
Under the NFPA 211 standard, every chimney, fireplace and vent should be inspected once a year. Inspections come in three levels, each one going deeper than the last. A chimney used the same way year after year gets the basic level, while a sale, a fuel change, a new stove or a chimney fire calls for more.
Chimney Inspection is often paired with chimney cleaning and chimney repair, depending on the cause.
Need chimney inspection in Steger? Call (708) 708-7359 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a chimney inspection
An inspection follows the path of the smoke, from the firebox to the top of the chimney.
Ask about use
The technician asks what burns in the chimney, how often and whether anything has changed since a change in fuel or a recent fire calls for a deeper level.
Interior check
Inside, the firebox, hearth extension, damper and smoke chamber are looked over for cracks, gaps, rust and creosote.
Camera inspection
A camera on a flexible rod shows the inside of the liner, joint by joint and the recording can be reviewed with you.
Outside the chimney
From the roof or a ladder, the crown, cap, flashing and brickwork are checked along with nearby branches and roofing.
Accessible spaces
In the attic, basement or crawl space, the chimney is checked for clearance to wood framing and signs of heat or water damage as part of a level 2 inspection.
Explain the results
Expect a clear rundown of the condition of each part so you can decide on repairs with the facts in hand.
What is included
What a chimney inspection covers
Firebox walls
The firebox walls and floor are checked for loose brick, open joints and cracked panels including the hearth and the damper above it.
Flue liner
The liner is checked joint by joint for cracks, offsets and deposits which a camera shows best.
Masonry
Brick, stone and mortar joints are checked for spalling, cracks and erosion which can mean repointing is due.
Roof flashing
The joint between the chimney and the roof is checked since it is a common leak point.
Related service
Level 1 Chimney Inspection Steger, IL
A level 1 inspection is the basic annual check for a chimney that is being used the same way it has been, with no changes and no known problems. It covers the parts that can be reached without removing anything, such as the firebox, damper, visible flue and the exterior.
For most Steger homes that burn the same way every year, a level 1 inspection paired with a cleaning is all that is needed. Anything suspicious found during a level 1 check can lead to a recommendation for a level 2.
Related service
Level 2 Chimney Inspection Steger, IL
Level 2 adds a camera scan of the full flue and a check of accessible attics, basements and crawl spaces to everything in a level 1. It is called for when the system has changed, such as a new fuel, a relining or a different appliance, and when a home is sold or transferred. An operating problem or an event like a chimney fire, a lightning strike or storm damage also calls for level 2.
For anyone buying a house in Steger, a level 2 inspection is the way to know the flue is sound before you own it. The camera footage shows the liner joint by joint, and no permanent part of the building is removed.
Related service
Level 3 Chimney Inspection Steger, IL
Level 3 is reserved for situations where a level 1 or 2 inspection points to a hidden hazard. It can mean removing parts of the building or the chimney, such as a section of wall, paneling or the crown, to see what is behind them. It is not a routine inspection, and it is only done when a hidden problem is suspected.
Common reasons include suspected damage after a chimney fire or building fire, structural damage, or a level 2 scan that shows a problem the camera cannot fully explain.
Local help
Chimney Inspection Near Me
Around Steger, chimneys deal with winter fires on the inside and rain, snow and sun on the outside. From Steger out to neighboring towns like South Chicago Heights, Crete, Sauk Village and Chicago Heights, many chimneys are decades old, with original liners and crowns, and water working into the masonry is behind much of the damage an inspection finds.
For chimney inspection in Steger, IL or nearby towns like South Chicago Heights, Crete, Sauk Village and Chicago Heights, call (708) 708-7359 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
This part of the country gets long winters, heavy snow in places and stretches of bitter cold. Heating systems and wood stoves work nearly nonstop for months, so flues collect creosote fast and liners and crowns see a lot of heat and cold. Snow drifting against the back of a chimney melts slowly and works water under tired flashing. That is why Steger chimney sweeps are busiest every September and October.
Why call
Why not wait
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Sweeps who know Steger
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Steger and nearby towns.
Know what happens next
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Inspection FAQ
Which chimney inspection level do I need?
The three levels go from a routine check to a full investigation, starting with level 1 for an unchanged chimney. Level 2 adds a camera scan of the flue and a look at accessible attics and basements, and it is called for after a change in the system, a home sale or a chimney fire. Level 3 adds removing parts of the building or chimney to reach concealed areas when a serious hazard is suspected.
How often does a chimney need an inspection?
The NFPA 211 standard calls for an inspection at least once a year, whether or not you use the fireplace much. Chimneys that are rarely used still need it, since animals, water and weather can damage a chimney that sits idle.
What does a chimney camera inspection show?
The camera shows the inside of the flue from the smoke chamber to the top. Cracks, gaps, deposits and anything blocking the flue show up on the screen.
Does a home inspection include the chimney?
Most general home inspectors look at the chimney from the outside and the firebox, which leaves the length of the flue unseen. For a home with a fireplace or stove, a level 2 chimney inspection fills that gap.
Can I use my fireplace before the inspection?
That comes down to the history of the chimney. After a suspected chimney fire, a storm hit, an animal problem or smoke spilling into the room, wait for an inspection before lighting a fire. A chimney inspected in the last year with no new problems is a much lower risk than one with an unknown history.
More questions? Call (708) 708-7359
Often needed together
Chimney Cleaning
Brushing and vacuuming the buildup from masonry and factory-built chimneys, to cut the risk of a chimney fire.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, so the chimney stays dry and safe to use.
Learn moreChimney Liner Repair
Repairing cracked clay flue tiles, open joints and damaged liners so smoke and gases stay sealed inside the flue.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
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