Chimney Inspection Services
Know your chimney is safe before you light the next fire. Our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps check it from the firebox to the cap and tell you exactly what they find.
Most chimney problems are hidden. A cracked flue tile, a crumbling crown, or a gap in the flashing can't be seen from your living room, and many homeowners only find out after a water stain shows up on the ceiling or smoke starts drifting into the house. Buying a home is even harder, since you have no idea how the last owner used or cared for the chimney.
At Heat’n Sweep, chimney inspections are open to every homeowner, no matter who built your chimney or installed your fireplace. Every inspection is done by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®, trained in the codes and standards that govern chimney safety. We inspect the inside and outside of the chimney, explain what we find in plain language, and give you straight answers on what needs attention now and what can wait.
An inspection costs far less than a chimney fire or a water-damaged ceiling, and it gives you peace of mind every time you light a fire.
Chimney Inspection Levels
The National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 211 standard defines three levels of chimney inspection. The right one depends on your chimney's history and what's changed.
Level 1 Inspection
The standard yearly check for a chimney you use regularly and haven't changed. We look over every part of the chimney that's readily accessible, inside and out.
When you need it: Every year, for routine use.
What it covers: The firebox, damper, flue, cap, and exterior masonry, plus a check for blockages and buildup.
Level 2 Inspection
A deeper look that includes a video camera scan of the full flue, plus accessible attics, crawlspaces, and basements around the chimney.
When you need it: When buying or selling a home, after a chimney fire or storm damage, or when adding an insert, relining, or switching fuel types.
What it covers: Everything in Level 1, plus camera footage of the flue interior and the areas around the chimney.
Level 3 Inspection
The most thorough inspection, used only when a Level 1 or 2 points to a serious hidden problem that can't be reached any other way.
When you need it: When there's a suspected hazard inside the walls or chimney structure.
What it covers: Removing parts of the chimney or surrounding wall to reach and assess the problem directly.
Our Chimney Inspection Process
Here's what happens from the time we arrive to the time you get your results.
1
Talk through your chimney
We ask how you use it, what you've noticed, and whether anything has changed, like a new insert or a recent storm.
2
Protect your home
We lay drop cloths and keep the work area clean while we inspect.
3
Inspect inside
We check the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, and flue, with a camera scan when a Level 2 inspection is needed.
4
Inspect outside
We check the crown, cap, flashing, and masonry from the roof and around the house.
5
Review what we found
We walk you through the results with photos, and explain what needs attention now and what can wait.
6
Plan next steps
If your chimney needs a sweep or a repair, we give you a clear quote and schedule it when you're ready.
What We Check
Inside the Chimney
- Firebox: cracks, gaps, and damaged firebrick
- Damper: opens, closes, and seals properly
- Smoke chamber: buildup, cracks, and rough surfaces
- Flue liner: cracked or missing tiles, gaps, and creosote
- Clearances: proper spacing from wood framing and other combustibles
Outside the Chimney
- Chimney cap: in place, intact, and keeping out animals and rain
- Crown: cracks that let water into the masonry
- Flashing: gaps where the chimney meets the roof
- Masonry and mortar: crumbling joints, spalling brick, and leaning
- Height and clearance: proper distance above the roofline
When to Schedule a Chimney Inspection
NFPA 211 calls for a chimney inspection every year. Beyond that, schedule one any time something about your chimney or home changes:
- Every year before heating season. Spring or summer is best, before the fall rush.
- Buying or selling a home. A Level 2 inspection shows the buyer and seller exactly what they're working with.
- After a chimney fire. Even a small one can crack flue tiles and leave hidden damage.
- After a major storm. High winds, lightning, and fallen limbs can damage the cap, crown, or masonry.
- Before adding an insert or stove. A new appliance needs a chimney and liner that fit it.
- Water stains or leaks near the chimney. Usually a sign of a failing crown, cap, or flashing.
- Smoke, odors, or draft problems. Something inside the flue is blocking or restricting it.
- The chimney hasn't been used in years. Nests, debris, and deterioration build up while it sits.
Why Choose Heat'n Sweep for Chimney Inspection
You want an inspector who tells you the truth about your chimney, not one looking for a reason to sell you something.
- Open to every homeowner. We inspect any chimney, no matter who built it or installed your fireplace.
- We show you what we find. Photos and plain-language explanations, so you see the problem for yourself.
- Now-versus-later answers. We separate what needs attention right away from what can wait, so you can plan.
- Fireplace experts, not just inspectors. We sell, install, and repair fireplaces and stoves, so we understand the whole system.
- Sweeping and repairs in one place. If your chimney needs cleaning or work, our team handles it without a second company. [Link: Chimney Sweeping] [Link: Chimney Service]
- 50+ years in Greater Lansing. A local company you can call again next year.
EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST
YEARS IN BUSINESS
5-STAR REVIEWS
BRAND PARTNERSHIPS
INSTALLATIONS COMPLETED
HOMEOWNER REVIEWS
Trusted by Michigan Homeowners
SERVICE AREA
Serving All Greater Lansing & Surrounding Counties
Visit our showroom in Okemos, MI or schedule a consultation. We proudly serve homeowners throughout all of lower Michigan.
- Ingham County
- Eaton County
- Clinton County
- Jackson County
- Livingston County
- Washtenaw County
- Barry County
- Kalamazoo County
- Calhoun County
- Ionia County
- Oakland County
- Shiawassee County
Chimney Inspection FAQs
Do you inspect chimneys if you didn't install the fireplace?
Yes. Chimney inspections are open to every homeowner, no matter who built your chimney or installed your fireplace, stove, or insert.
Do I need a chimney inspection when buying a house?
Yes. NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection when a home is sold. A general home inspection usually only looks at the outside of the chimney, while a Level 2 includes a camera scan of the full flue.
How long does a chimney inspection take?
A Level 1 inspection usually takes under an hour. A Level 2 with a camera scan typically takes one to two hours, depending on the chimney.
Can you sweep and inspect my chimney in the same visit?
Yes, and it's often the best approach. A clean flue is easier to inspect, so many homeowners book both together.
What happens if you find a problem?
We show you what we found, explain how serious it is, and give you a clear quote for the repair. If it isn't urgent, we'll tell you that too, so you can plan ahead.
Ready to Know Your Chimney Is Safe?
Call us to book your inspection or stop by our Okemos showroom with questions. Our team will check your chimney inside and out and give you straight answers on what we find.