Masonry
Brick, stone and mortar joints are checked for spalling, cracks and erosion that point to water damage.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Inspection Somerdale, NJ
Before you light another fire, a Somerdale chimney inspection shows what condition the flue is in, with the level of inspection matched to how the chimney is used. One call to (856) 344-1158 reaches a chimney sweep near you.
A chimney can look fine from the yard and still have serious problems inside. Heat cracks the liner, weather breaks down the crown and mortar, and animals or debris can block the flue entirely. Any of these can let heat reach the wood framing around the chimney, or let carbon monoxide back into the home.
The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected at least once a year. The industry uses three levels of inspection, and the right one depends on the situation rather than on preference. A chimney that has not changed gets a basic look, but a home sale, a relining or a chimney fire calls for a camera scan and a closer check.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Somerdale chimney sweep may also recommend chimney cleaning or chimney repair.
Need chimney inspection in Somerdale? Call (856) 344-1158 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How a chimney inspection works
A good inspection works through the whole system and ends with a clear explanation.
Start with questions
Knowing the fuel, the appliances and any recent smoke or leak problems shapes the visit which tells the technician where to focus.
Check the firebox
Inside, the firebox, hearth extension, damper and smoke chamber are looked over for cracks, gaps, rust and creosote.
Scan the flue
For a level 2 inspection, a camera is run up the flue to record the liner from bottom to top which is the only way to see the full length of most flues.
Outside the chimney
The technician looks at the cap and screen, the crown and the flashing where the chimney meets the roof since that is where most leaks begin.
Attic check
Accessible areas around the chimney are checked for heat damage, leaks and proper clearance to combustibles to make sure heat is not reaching the structure.
Review the findings
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 gets inspected
Firebox
The firebox walls and floor are checked for loose brick, open joints and cracked panels including the hearth and the damper above it.
Liner condition
Clay tile, metal and cast liners are checked for cracks, gaps, missing mortar and heavy creosote since a damaged liner lets heat reach the house.
Chimney crown
The top of the chimney is checked for cracking that lets water in and the cap is checked for rust and a secure fit.
Roof flashing
Metal flashing at the roof line is checked for rust, failed sealant and gaps for signs of water getting in.
Related service
Level 1 Chimney Inspection Somerdale, 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.
If nothing has changed in your Somerdale home, a level 1 inspection is normally done at the same visit as the sweep. If the technician sees something that needs a closer look, the inspection can be stepped up to level 2.
Related service
Level 2 Chimney Inspection Somerdale, NJ
A level 2 inspection includes everything in level 1, plus accessible attic, basement and crawl space areas and a video scan of the inside of the flue. 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. It is also the right inspection after a chimney fire, a lightning strike, a severe storm or any malfunction that could have damaged the chimney.
If you are buying a home in Somerdale with a fireplace or stove, ask for a level 2 inspection before closing. It does not require removing any part of the building, just access and a camera.
Related service
Level 3 Chimney Inspection Somerdale, NJ
A level 3 inspection is the deepest level, used when a serious hazard is suspected in a part of the chimney that cannot be reached any other way. 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.
For a home in Somerdale, it typically follows a chimney fire, structural damage or a level 2 finding that needs more access.
Local help
Chimney Inspection Near Me
In Somerdale, a chimney works hard during the heating season and takes the weather the rest of the year. Homes in Somerdale and places like Magnolia, Stratford, Echelon and Lawnside range from older brick chimneys to newer factory-built fireplaces, and freeze-thaw cycles, wind and water slowly open cracks in the crown, mortar and flue.
For chimney inspection in Somerdale, NJ or nearby towns like Magnolia, Stratford, Echelon and Lawnside, call (856) 344-1158 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: rain and melting snow soak into the crown and joints, then freeze and push them apart, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Nor'easters drive rain sideways into flashing and mortar that looked fine in summer. Most homeowners in Somerdale, NJ schedule a sweep in early fall, and a repair check after a hard winter.
Why call
Why act early
Smaller repairs
A chimney problem fixed early rarely spreads to the masonry, the liner or the house.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Somerdale and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Inspection FAQ
Is it safe to use a fireplace that has not been inspected?
What has happened since the last check decides it. Smoke spilling into the room, signs of a past chimney fire or a known blockage are reasons to wait. A chimney inspected in the last year with no new problems is a much lower risk than one with an unknown history.
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. Low use does not mean low risk, since nests and water damage happen in idle chimneys too.
What is the difference between level 1, 2 and 3 inspections?
Each level builds on the one before, and level 1 is the routine yearly check. 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.
Does a home inspection include the chimney?
A standard home inspection is mostly visual, so cracks and gaps inside the flue tend to go unnoticed. The level 2 inspection is built for this situation, since the sale of a home calls for one.
Why do sweeps use a camera to inspect the flue?
Video scanning lets the technician see the full length of the liner, which a flashlight from the firebox cannot reach. It shows cracked tiles, open joints, missing mortar, creosote buildup and obstructions.
More questions? Call (856) 344-1158
Related services
Chimney Cleaning
Cleaning the flue, smoke chamber and firebox of masonry and factory-built chimneys, so the flue drafts well and burns safely.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn moreChimney Liner Repair
Fixing gaps, cracks and missing mortar inside the flue liner with resurfacing, joint repair or partial replacement.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, before the water rots framing or ruins the flue.
Learn more
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Call (856) 344-1158 to talk to a chimney sweep serving Somerdale, NJ.
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