Chimney inspection in Oak Park, IL
Buying a house, lighting an old fireplace again or chasing a smell? We go over the firebox, the flue and the top of the chimney and tell you plainly what condition it is in.
- Firebox and damper
- Flue and smoke chamber
- Cap, crown and flashing
When an inspection makes sense
A sweep tells you the flue is clean. An inspection tells you whether the chimney is in a state to be used. For a house with some age on it, which describes much of Oak Park, that second question matters, because a flue can be clean and still be cracked or open somewhere you cannot see from the living room.
These are the moments when most people call for one.
- Before you buy or sell a house with a fireplace
- Before lighting a fireplace that has been idle for years
- After a chimney fire, or after a storm
- When you add or change a stove or an insert
- When you see rust, cracks or a damp spot and want to know how far it goes
What you get with Chimney inspection
Everything we can reach
We look at the firebox, damper, smoke chamber and flue, and at the cap, crown and flashing from the roof.
A plain account
You hear what we found, what is fine, and what needs attention first, in words that do not need a mason to translate.
Before it is an emergency
Finding a cracked crown or an open joint in the fall is easier than finding it through a ceiling stain in February.
A fireplace you can trust
Knowing the condition of the chimney is what lets you light the first fire without wondering.
What we look at
We work from the inside out, then finish on the roof.
- The firebox: firebrick, mortar joints and the hearth
- The damper, and whether it opens and seals
- The smoke chamber above it
- The flue, as far as it can be seen
- The cap and crown
- The flashing where the chimney meets the roof
- Signs of water on the brick and in the room
Limits worth knowing
An inspection can only report on what can be reached and seen. Where a part is out of sight, for example behind a wall, we say so rather than guess, and we tell you what would be needed to see it.
Chimney inspection questions
How is an inspection different from a sweep?
A sweep cleans soot and creosote from the flue. An inspection is a look at condition: cracks, gaps, rust, leaks and the state of the parts. We can do both on one visit, and you can also book an inspection alone.
I am buying a house with a fireplace. Should I have it looked at?
It is a good idea. A fireplace is easy to admire and hard to judge, and the chimney above it is where many costly surprises start. Call us before closing and we will see what can be arranged.
Can you tell me if the fireplace is safe to use?
We tell you what we see and what we recommend. If something looks like it needs repair before a fire is lit, we say so plainly, and the decision about using it stays with you.
How long does a visit take?
It depends on the chimney, its height and what we find, so we will not promise a number of minutes. When you call, tell us what kind of fireplace or stove you have and we will say what to expect.
Other services we provide
Chimney sweep
Flues brushed clean of soot and creosote, for open fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts.
Chimney repair
We repair caps, flue pipes, crowns, flashing and brick so that rain and frost cannot get into the chimney.
Chimney cleaning
Heavy buildup, nests and debris cleared from the flue, the smoke chamber and the firebox.
Ready to have your chimney looked over?
Fireplace, stove or insert? Tell us which, leave your number, and we call to book a visit.