What a Chimney Inspection in Flower Mound Covers
A chimney inspection from Flower Mound Chimney Sweep Professionals looks at the chimney’s structure, the condition of the flue, how it drafts, and whether water is getting in. Those are the four things that fail, and each one is cheap to fix early and expensive to fix late.
The Level 1 inspection works through the chimney from the bottom up.
- Firebox. Firebrick and mortar joints in a masonry fireplace, or the refractory panels in a factory-built unit, checked for cracks, gaps and loose pieces.
- Damper. Opens fully, closes fully, no rust holes, no warping from a past chimney fire.
- Smoke chamber and smoke shelf. Creosote level, open mortar joints, missing parging, nest material or water paste on the shelf.
- Flue by camera. Cracked or shifted clay tiles, gaps at the joints, rust or separation in metal flues, creosote stage, and blockages.
- Roof. Cap and its mesh, crown, flashing and sealant, chase cover on sided chases, and the top of the flue. Height is checked against the 3-2-10 rule.
- Report. Photos of each part, a plain list of what needs attention, and a written price for any repair. You decide what happens next.
The inspection is included with every chimney sweep in Flower Mound. On its own it takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
Why a Yearly Chimney Inspection Matters
NFPA 211 is the national standard for chimneys, fireplaces and venting, and it says chimneys, fireplaces and vents shall be inspected at least once a year. The NFPA 211 standard page describes the standard that inspectors and insurers work from. The U.S. Fire Administration counted about 32,200 home heating fires in one recent year and recommends a yearly cleaning and inspection by a professional.
The reason is that most chimney problems start out of sight. A cracked flue tile, a hole in the damper, a crown with a hairline crack or a nest on the smoke shelf all look fine from the hearth. The inspection finds them while they are a small repair.
The Three Chimney Inspection Levels
| Level | What it covers | When NFPA 211 calls for it |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Accessible parts of the chimney, no tools: flue by camera, damper, firebox, smoke chamber, cap, crown, flashing | Every year, and whenever the chimney is swept |
| Level 2 | Level 1 plus a video scan of the full flue interior and accessible attics, crawl spaces and chases | Home sale or transfer, after a chimney fire, storm or other event likely to cause damage, change of fuel, new or replaced appliance, relining |
| Level 3 | Level 2 plus removal of chase covers, walls or chimney parts to reach concealed areas | Only when a Level 1 or 2 finds a hazard that cannot be checked any other way |
Our Level 2 chimney inspection page explains the video scan and the report buyers and insurers ask for.
Chimney Inspections for Home Sales in Flower Mound
A general home inspector looks at the chimney from the ground, opens the damper, and in most reports writes a line recommending evaluation by a chimney professional. Buyers then have a few days in the option period to get it done. We do the Level 2 inspection that line refers to, with a video scan of the full flue and a report with photos that the buyer can use to ask for repairs or a credit. Sellers who book it before listing avoid the surprise.
Signs You Need a Chimney Inspection
- Smoke coming into the room when the fire is lit
- Water stains on the ceiling or wall near the chimney after rain
- A smoky or musty smell in the house, worse on humid days
- White staining, rust streaks or dark patches on the brick or siding
- Pieces of tile, mortar or crown in the firebox
- A cap that is missing, bent or rusted after a storm
- A damper that sticks, will not seal or has rusted through
- A chimney fire, even a small one, or a loud roaring sound during a fire
- Buying or selling the home
- More than a year since the last inspection
What Flower Mound Chimneys Fail On Most
Homes here split into two kinds. Houses built from the 1990s on, in Bridlewood, Wellington, Lantana and most of town, have factory-built metal fireplaces inside a wood-framed, sided chase. Older homes near Grapevine Lake and Lake Lewisville have full masonry chimneys. They fail differently.
| Factory-built fireplace in a chase | Masonry chimney | |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Galvanized chase cover rusts through and leaks into the chase | Concrete crown cracks from hail and heat, water enters the brick |
| Flue | Metal pipe sections separate or rust; refractory panels in the firebox crack | Clay tiles crack from chimney fires and water, joints open |
| Water | Rust streaks on the siding below the cover | White staining, spalling brick, wet smoke shelf |
| Animals | Caps with torn mesh let in chimney swifts and squirrels | Open flues with no cap, raccoons near the lakes |
Both get the same inspection. The report tells you which problems you have.
Fireplace Inspection
The firebox, damper, gas logs, glass doors and clearances to the mantel get their own close look. Our fireplace inspection page covers what we check on wood, gas and insert fireplaces before you light the first fire of the season.
Chimney Repair
Most inspections turn up something small. A cracked crown, failed flashing sealant or a torn cap mesh each takes a short visit to fix. Our chimney repair page covers crowns, flashing, masonry and flues, and our chimney leak repair page explains how we find where water is actually getting in rather than just sealing the stain. A missing or rusted cap is the most common finding of all; see chimney cap installation.
Book a Chimney Inspection in Flower Mound
Flower Mound Chimney Sweep Professionals is veteran-owned and based on Long Prairie Rd in Flower Mound 75028. We inspect chimneys in Flower Mound, Lewisville, Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Fort Worth and Collin County, 7 days a week from 7 AM to 8 PM. Call (817) 518-6131 or send the form on this page. You get a firm price before we start, photos of every part of the chimney, and a free written estimate for any repair. See what customers say on our reviews page.
