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Chimney Inspection Seattle, WA
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 chimney inspections with a camera scan of the flue and a written report you can act on. Free quote on any repairs we find.
- Free 2nd-opinion quotes
- Price match + 10–25% discount
- Same-day service often available
Request a Free Chimney Inspection Quote
Tell us what's going on — we'll confirm a time by phone or text.
A chimney inspection is a condition check of the whole system, from the firebox and damper up through the flue to the crown, cap and flashing, with a written report of what we found. It is a diagnostic service, not a cleaning: we tell you whether the chimney is safe to use, what is wearing out, and what it would take to fix. If the flue needs sweeping, a chimney sweep can usually be done on the same visit.
We follow the three inspection levels described in NFPA 211. Level 1 is the annual check for a chimney that has not changed and has no known problems. Level 2 adds a camera scan of the flue interior and is what NFPA 211 recommends when a home is sold, when the fuel type or appliance changes, or after a chimney fire, earthquake or storm. Level 3 is for hidden damage that can only be seen by opening up part of the chimney.
Homebuyers, sellers, landlords and new owners of older houses in Seattle, Tacoma and Everett use this service most. It comes with a free quote on anything we find, and a free second opinion on any repair list another company handed you.
Symptoms
Signs you need chimney inspection
- You are buying or selling a home and the home inspector did not scope the flue
- You do not know if the chimney is safe to light
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall next to the chimney
- White mineral deposits, flaking brick or loose mortar on the outside of the stack
- You are switching from wood to gas, or adding a stove or insert
- There was a chimney fire, even a small one that burned itself out
Common causes
- Age: masonry chimneys across the Seattle area are often decades old and were never scoped
- Water entering through a failed crown, cap, chase cover or flashing and working down the flue
- Cracked or shifted clay flue tiles from heat stress or a past chimney fire
- Earthquake or settling movement that opens joints in the stack
How It Works
Our chimney inspection process
Every inspection starts at the firebox: firebrick, damper, smoke chamber and lintel, then a look up the flue with a light and, on a Level 2, a camera run the full length to document tile joints, cracks, gaps, offsets and buildup. Outside, we check the crown, cap, chase cover, flashing, brick and mortar. Everything goes into a written report with photos you can use at closing, for an insurance claim or to plan repairs.
Tell us why you need it
Annual check, home sale, new appliance, a leak, or a chimney fire. The reason sets the inspection level, which we confirm before we quote.
Interior check
Firebox, damper, smoke chamber, hearth and clearances, plus the accessible flue from below.
Camera scan (Level 2 and up)
We run a recorded camera up the flue so cracked tiles, missing mortar joints, offsets and creosote stage are documented, not guessed at.
Exterior and roofline check
Crown, cap, chase cover, flashing, brick, mortar and any staining or moss. Our crew handles all roof access.
Written report and free quote
A plain-language summary with photos, what needs attention now versus later, and a free written quote for any repair.
Options
Repair and service options
Pick the level that matches your situation; we will tell you if a lower one will do.
- Level 1: the annual visual inspection for a chimney under continued use with no changes. Often paired with a sweep on the same visit.
- Level 2: everything in Level 1 plus a camera scan of the flue interior and a check of accessible attic, crawlspace and roof areas. NFPA 211 recommends Level 2 on any sale of the property, after a chimney fire, and when the appliance or fuel type changes.
- Level 3: when Level 1 or 2 points to a serious hidden problem, Level 3 removes components such as a crown or a wall section to reach it. We only recommend it when the evidence calls for it.
- Targeted leak inspection: when the only complaint is water; see chimney leak repair.
Any repair we quote gets our price match plus 10–25% off, with no obligation.
Pricing
What affects the price
- Inspection level (Level 1, 2 or 3)
- Number of flues in the chimney
- Whether a camera scan of the full flue length is included
- Roof pitch and how the top of the chimney is reached
- Whether a sweep is added to the same visit
Every chimney is different, so you get a written quote after we look at the system. Ask about our price match and free second-opinion quote.
Safety & Seattle Conditions
Safety considerations
An inspection is the only way to know what a flue looks like from the inside. Cracked tiles and open joints let heat and combustion gases reach framing, and creosote you cannot see from the hearth is the usual fuel for a chimney fire. NFPA 211 recommends an annual inspection for every chimney.
If you think there has been a chimney fire, stop using the fireplace until it has been inspected. If you ever smell gas near a gas fireplace, leave the house and call your gas utility; do not touch the appliance or any valve.
Seattle & Puget Sound conditions
Seattle inspections find water damage more than anything else. Sea-Tac averages 40.34 inches of precipitation a year over about 150 to 156 rainy days, with winter lows just above freezing (37.1°F in December, 37.7°F in January and February). Wet masonry crossing the freezing point repeatedly is what the Brick Industry Association warns leads to cracking and spalling.
With Seattle's median home built in 1976, Shoreline's in 1969 and Tacoma's in 1967, a camera scan of a flue that has never been scoped is a sensible step before the first fire in a new-to-you house.
Our Work
Chimney Inspection in action
Schedule a Seattle chimney inspection
Level 1, 2 or 3 with a written report. Free quote on any repair, free second opinion on any quote. Call 206-453-2045.
☎ 206-453-2045 Request a QuoteQuestions
Chimney Inspection FAQ
Do I need a Level 2 chimney inspection to buy a house in Seattle?
NFPA 211 recommends a Level 2 inspection whenever a property is sold or transferred, and most general home inspectors do not scope the flue. It is not a legal requirement, but a camera scan before closing is the only way to know whether you are inheriting cracked tiles, a failed liner or water damage, and it gives you a written report to negotiate with.
What is the difference between a Level 1 and Level 2 chimney inspection?
Level 1 is a visual check of the readily accessible parts of the chimney: firebox, damper, flue from below, and the exterior. Level 2 adds a camera scan of the entire flue interior plus accessible attic, crawlspace and roof areas, and applies when something has changed: a sale, a new appliance, or a fire or weather event.
Is a chimney inspection free?
The quote for any repair we find is free, and a second-opinion review of another company's repair quote is free. The inspection itself is a paid diagnostic service because it involves a camera scan and a written report. If you book a sweep with it, our sweep and inspection special starts at $299. Call 206-453-2045 for a quote.
What should I do after a chimney fire?
Do not use the fireplace again until the flue has been inspected. A Level 2 inspection with a camera scan is what NFPA 211 recommends after a chimney fire, because the damage, such as cracked or shifted flue tiles, is usually invisible from the hearth. Our written report with photos also supports an insurance claim.
Do you inspect gas fireplaces and prefab chimneys?
We inspect the venting and chimney structure for gas fireplaces and factory-built systems, including the chase cover, cap and termination. We do not service gas valves, pilots or gas lines; if you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility. On prefab systems the most common findings are rusted chase covers and water intrusion; see chase cover replacement.
Can you inspect my chimney if I already have a repair quote from another company?
Yes. Bring us the other quote and we will inspect the chimney, tell you what actually needs attention and what can wait, and give you a free second-opinion quote. If we agree the work is needed, we match their written price and take a further 10–25% off. We cover Seattle, the Eastside, Tacoma, Everett and the road-accessible Puget Sound.
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