Video Inspection Info



You should be aware that even the most thorough inspection may not reveal all problems. Some areas of a chimney simply are not accessible due to the construction of the chimney, but a video chimney inspection will provide you with the most effective method available to determine the interior condition of the chimney flue and any potential damage.

In most cases, a chimney sweeping will be needed before a video chimney inspection can be done. That's because it's very difficult to make the differentiation between a spider web and a crack in the flue lining.

What is a chimney video inspection?


A chimney video inspection consists of sending a special video camera into the inside of the chimney from either above going down or sending up through the damper area from below and being able to either record video or take digital images of any issues that are found. We use the most modern, state-of-the-art video equipment to check the total condition of your chimney.

The chimney camera gives us the ability to go inside the flue and see things we'd never be able to see during a typical chimney inspection using just a flashlight and the naked eye. The camera image is viewed on a monitor and since it's done digitally, we can even make a digital recording and take snap shots of the chimney system!

With the camera, we are able to see many unsafe chimney conditions that we wouldn't be able to see otherwise, such as:

  • Flue pipe cracks, even hairline cracks
  • Missing mortar joints and gaps between the flue pipe sections
  • Chimney fire damage
  • Obstructions in the flue
  • Improper prefab chimney connections
  • Broken or missing tile liners
  • Deterioration of smoke shelf or damper
  • Hidden breeches in the system


A typical inspection of the inside of a chimney flue lining without the camera is from the top of the chimney looking down with only a flashlight and the naked eye. This will only give you a minimal view of the system at best and leaves too much to guesswork. Using this method only allows us to see about the top 4' - 6' accurately. Only with a video camera, can we see every aspect of the chimney flue pipe sections and the mortar joints in-between.

Why should I have a video inspection?



Video inspections are commonly recommended if the customer, home inspector or the chimney sweep suspect problems in the system. Some of the reasons why it would be recommended are:

  • A potential crack or void is seen in the chimney during the initial chimney evaluation or sweeping
  • After a chimney fire or other sudden occurrence event
  • Change in or replacement of an appliance with one of dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency
  • Prior to relining
  • Upon sale or transfer of the property
  • Some other form of suspected chimney damage.

Other things you need to know about chimney video inspections... You should be aware that even the most thorough inspection may not reveal all problems. Some areas of a chimney simply are not accessible due to the construction of the chimney, but a video chimney inspection will provide you with the most effective method available to determine the interior condition of the chimney flue and any potential damage.

In most cases, a chimney sweeping will be needed before a video chimney inspection can be done. That's because it's very difficult to make the differentiation between a spider web and a crack in the flue lining.

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