Roof flashing
The step and counter flashing where the chimney meets the roof is checked for gaps and lifted edges for signs of water getting in.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Inspection Camden, NJ
A chimney inspection in Camden tells you whether your fireplace or stove is safe to use, with the level of inspection matched to how the chimney is used. Call (856) 353-2481 to reach a local chimney sweep.
Most chimney damage happens where you cannot see it. Cracked liner tiles, eroded mortar, a split crown and loose flashing are common, along with blockages from nests and fallen debris. Any of these can let heat reach the wood framing around the chimney, or let carbon monoxide back into the home.
Under the NFPA 211 standard, every chimney, fireplace and vent should be inspected once a year. There are three levels of inspection, and which one fits depends on what has happened to the chimney. 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.
Many chimney inspection calls in Camden also turn up a need for chimney cleaning or chimney repair.
Need chimney inspection in Camden? Call (856) 353-2481 and describe the problem to a chimney sweep who works in Camden.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a chimney inspection
A good inspection works through the whole system and ends with a clear explanation.
Gather the history
Questions about fuel, use, past repairs and recent problems come first to decide which inspection level fits.
Inside the fireplace
Inside, the firebox, hearth extension, damper and smoke chamber are looked over and notes any damage or heavy deposits.
Camera inspection
A camera on a flexible rod shows the inside of the liner, joint by joint and you can watch it on a screen.
Outside the chimney
On the outside, the brick, mortar joints, crown, cap and flashing get a close look for cracks, spalling and gaps that let water in.
Check clearances
Where the chimney passes through accessible attics and basements, the technician looks for scorching, water stains and gaps 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
Masonry
Outside masonry is checked for freeze-thaw damage which can mean repointing is due.
Firebox
The firebox walls and floor are checked for loose brick, open joints and cracked panels along with the hearth extension in front.
Crown
The top of the chimney is checked for cracking that lets water in along with the cap and its screen.
Liner condition
Clay tile, metal and cast liners are checked for cracks, gaps, missing mortar and heavy creosote which a camera shows best.
Related service
Level 1 Chimney Inspection Camden, NJ
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 looks at the easily reached parts of the system inside and out, including the appliance and how it connects to the chimney.
A level 1 inspection is often part of a yearly sweep in Camden. Anything suspicious found during a level 1 check can lead to a recommendation for a level 2.
Related service
Level 2 Chimney Inspection Camden, NJ
A level 2 inspection goes further than level 1, with video of the flue and a look at the chimney where it passes through accessible parts of the house. 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.
If you are buying a home in Camden with a fireplace or stove, ask for a level 2 inspection before closing. The camera footage shows the liner joint by joint, and no permanent part of the building is removed.
Related service
Level 3 Chimney Inspection Camden, NJ
The level 3 inspection includes everything in levels 1 and 2 and adds access to concealed parts of the chimney. Reaching those areas can require removing drywall, paneling or part of the chimney itself. It is never the starting point, only the next step when the evidence justifies it.
For a home in Camden, it typically follows a chimney fire, structural damage or a level 2 finding that needs more access.
Local help
Chimney Inspection Near Me
In Camden, a chimney works hard during the heating season and takes the weather the rest of the year. Older homes in Camden and nearby towns such as Woodlynne, Collingswood, Oaklyn and Merchantville often have clay tile flues and brick that has been through many winters, and freeze-thaw cycles, wind and water slowly open cracks in the crown, mortar and flue.
For chimney inspection in Camden, NJ or nearby towns like Woodlynne, Collingswood, Oaklyn and Merchantville, call (856) 353-2481 to reach a chimney sweep who covers your street.
Chimneys in this climate
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. Masonry takes the worst of it from the freeze and thaw cycle: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, and each winter widens the cracks a little more. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. Most homeowners in Camden, NJ schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why act early
Less damage
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Local knowledge
Chimney sweeps in Camden know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Clear next steps
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Inspection FAQ
Why do sweeps use a camera to inspect the flue?
A camera on a flexible rod travels up the flue and records the inside of the liner, joint by joint. It shows cracked tiles, open joints, missing mortar, creosote buildup and obstructions.
Does a home inspection include the chimney?
A general home inspection normally covers what is visible from the roof and the firebox, without looking inside the full flue. The level 2 inspection is built for this situation, since the sale of a home calls for one.
Can I use my fireplace before the inspection?
That comes down to the history of the chimney. Signs of a past chimney fire, water damage, heavy smoke or a blockage are all reasons to hold off until it is checked. Keep working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the house either way.
How often does a chimney need an inspection?
A yearly inspection is the standard set by NFPA 211. Low use does not mean low risk, since nests and water damage happen in idle chimneys too.
Which chimney inspection level do I need?
Level 1 is the routine yearly check of a chimney that has not changed. 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 is reserved for suspected hidden damage and may mean removing part of a wall or the chimney.
More questions? Call (856) 353-2481
Often needed together
Chimney Cleaning
Cleaning the flue, smoke chamber and firebox of 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
Restoring a damaged chimney liner with resurfacing, joint repair or partial replacement.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Finding and stopping water that gets in through the crown, cap, flashing or brick, instead of patching the stain on the ceiling.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesNeed chimney inspection in Camden, NJ?
Call (856) 353-2481 for a local chimney sweep in Camden and nearby towns.
(856) 353-2481
Free to call. No forms to fill out.