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 Burlington, NJ
A chimney inspection in Burlington tells you whether your fireplace or stove is safe to use, from a basic annual look to a camera scan of the full flue. Call (609) 699-0240 to reach a local 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. 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. Unchanged chimneys get the basic level, and changes or damage step it up.
If the problem goes deeper than it first looked, a Burlington chimney sweep may also recommend chimney cleaning or chimney repair.
Need chimney inspection in Burlington? Call (609) 699-0240 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How a chimney inspection works
Here is how a sweep typically handles a chimney inspection.
Gather the history
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.
Inside the fireplace
The firebox walls, hearth, damper and smoke chamber are checked with a bright light for damaged brick, open mortar joints and buildup.
Scan the flue
A video scan shows cracked tiles, gaps at joints and missing mortar that a flashlight cannot reach which is the only way to see the full length of most flues.
Outside the chimney
From the roof or a ladder, the crown, cap, flashing and brickwork are checked along with nearby branches and roofing.
Attic check
In the attic, basement or crawl space, the chimney is checked for clearance to wood framing and signs of heat or water damage to make sure heat is not reaching the structure.
Written report
Expect a clear rundown of the condition of each part and whether the chimney can be used in the meantime.
What is included
What a chimney inspection covers
Firebox
Firebrick, refractory panels and mortar joints are checked for cracks and gaps along with the hearth extension in front.
Liner condition
Clay tile, metal and cast liners are checked for cracks, gaps, missing mortar and heavy creosote because the liner protects the house from heat and gases.
Chimney crown
The concrete or mortar slab on top is checked for cracks and poor slope and the cap is checked for rust and a secure fit.
Exterior brick
The chimney exterior is checked for crumbling mortar, flaking brick and leaning so small repairs happen before big ones are needed.
Related service
Level 1 Chimney Inspection Burlington, 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 covers the parts that can be reached without removing anything, such as the firebox, damper, visible flue and the exterior.
For most Burlington homes that burn the same way every year, a level 1 inspection paired with a cleaning is all that is needed. 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 Burlington, NJ
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 applies when something has changed, like a new stove or insert, a switch in fuel or a relining, and when the home is sold. After a chimney fire, a lightning strike or storm damage, a level 2 inspection is the right call too.
Home buyers in Burlington benefit most from a level 2 inspection, since a general home inspection rarely looks inside the flue. It does not require removing any part of the building, just access and a camera.
Related service
Level 3 Chimney Inspection Burlington, 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 may involve opening a wall, removing a crown or taking apart part of the chimney to reach concealed areas. It is never the starting point, only the next step when the evidence justifies it.
For a home in Burlington, it typically follows a chimney fire, structural damage or a level 2 finding that needs more access.
Local help
Chimney Inspection Near Me
Chimneys in Burlington see a mix of heat from inside and weather from outside. Homes in Burlington and places like Florence, Beverly, Roebling and Bordentown 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.
Need chimney inspection around Burlington? Call (609) 699-0240 for a Burlington chimney sweep who serves the towns around it too.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Burlington
Winters here are long and cold, and the heating season usually runs from October well into April. 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. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. That is why chimney cleaning in Burlington is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why fix it now
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Burlington and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Chimney Inspection questions
What does a chimney camera inspection show?
Video scanning lets the technician see the full length of the liner, which a flashlight from the firebox cannot reach. Cracks, gaps, deposits and anything blocking the flue show up on the screen.
Is a general home inspection enough for 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.
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.
How often should a chimney be inspected?
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.
Can I use my fireplace before the inspection?
That comes down to the history of the chimney. Smoke spilling into the room, signs of a past chimney fire or a known blockage are reasons to wait. If it was inspected within the year and nothing has changed, normal use until the next inspection is reasonable.
More questions? Call (609) 699-0240
Other services that may help
Chimney Cleaning
Brushing and vacuuming the buildup from wood-burning fireplaces, stoves and inserts, with the damper, smoke shelf and cap checked along the way.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Repairs for the masonry, crown, flashing and flue of a damaged chimney, matched to what an inspection actually finds.
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
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