Chimney Inspections

An annual inspection of your chimney and connected systems, along with regular maintenance, can ensure that homeowners:

• Avoid dangerous and costly home fires.
• Prevent carbon monoxide build-up inside the home.
• Keep birds and wildlife from establishing a permanent residence.
• Identify small problems before they become costly chimney repairs.

Whether it’s a routine annual chimney inspection, part of a real estate transaction, or you suspect something may be seriously wrong with your chimney, make sure you choose a trained and experienced chimney expert to thoroughly examine your chimney, fireplace and venting system to make sure all parts and components are working properly.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommend having your chimney inspected yearly. In addition to an annual examination, there are other circumstances when these organizations recommend having your chimney inspected by a trained professional:

• If you suspect an issue with safety, efficiency, or functionality
• When you’ve installed a new appliance
• When you sell or transfer a home
• If you notice any water leaking in the house by the chimney
• When you’ve had your flue repaired or relined
• If you’ve had a change in fuel or appliance type
• If you’ve had a chimney fire
• In the event of extreme weather

At Capitol Chimney, we understand that our customers are very busy and that a chimney inspection may not be at the top of your “to-do” list. That’s okay; we’re happy to help remind you.

When performing chimney inspections, Capitol Chimney follows the standards of the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), which specializes in preventing chimney, dryer, and other home heating disasters. The CSIA has specified the following three levels of chimney inspections:

• ​Level 1 – No Changes or Problems Have Occurred 
  We recommend Level 1 inspections for chimneys under continued service that operate under the same conditions, with the continued use of the same appliance. We’ll check the chimney and flue for basic structural soundness and examine the appliance installation and connections in these instances. We’ll also verify that your chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits.
• Level 2 – System Changes, Suspected Issues, or Real Estate Sales
  These types of inspections are typically warranted if you suspect an issue with your system if there has been an event that may have caused damage, or if you have made any changes to the system since your last inspection. Additionally, a Level 2 inspection is required for most real estate transactions. In these situations, we’ll thoroughly check all accessible parts of the chimney system and examine the internal surfaces and joints of all flue liners within the chimney for issues.
• Level 3 – Hidden Hazards That Require Special Tools
  Whenever there is a suspected safety issue in a part of your system that cannot be viewed during a Level 1 or 2 inspection, a Level 3 inspection is recommended. These can be much more invasive and could require removing certain system components (chimney crown, interior chimney wall, etc.) where necessary. We work closely with our customers during these inspections to discuss all work thoroughly before we begin so there are no surprises.

Regardless of the level of inspection, we will always be sure to leave your house clean and safe for you. We will vacuum up any loosened debris and dispose of any plastic cloths we may have laid out. If furniture has been rearranged and covered, we will not leave until everything is back in order.

We want to be completely upfront and transparent about our pricing and fees. In some specific cases, we can give you an estimate over the phone. However, since most situations are unique, we’ll usually need an in-person inspection to ensure we have the information needed for an accurate estimate.

Once we get your approval, we’ll schedule your service call as soon as possible. As you might expect, we are busiest during colder seasons, so you’ll have an easier time getting an appointment in the warmer months.

We realize that you have several choices when selecting a chimney inspection company. First and foremost, please choose a company that employs experienced professionals and provides them with the tools and ongoing training to ensure your family’s safety. Here are some reasons why we think Capitol Chimney deserves your consideration:

• We know what we’re doing—we have 25+ years of experience inspecting all types of chimneys in Central Texas, and we have the specialized tools and training to get the job done right and ensure your family’s safety.
• We respect your time and property—we show up when we say we will and leave your house looking like we were never even there (or better).
• We’re a safety-first company—chimney inspections are all about identifying and addressing safety issues in the best possible way to ensure you have “peace of mind” when using your fireplace.  That’s what we’re all about.
• We’re from here—after working in Central Texas for multiple decades, we fully understand the construction, wildlife, wood, and weather issues that can impact the safe operation of your chimney now and down the road.
• We’re not happy unless you’re happy—we’ve built our business on our customers’ kind words and referrals, so we do everything we can to ensure our customers are happy.