Chimney inspections.
The annual safety standard every wood-burning home in the North Bay should be on. Level 1 visual, Level 2 video scan, Level 3 structural — performed to the standard the National Fire Protection Association wrote.
The inspection that
every wood-burning home needs.
Chimney fires are the single most preventable category of residential fire loss in the U.S. — and the prevention is straightforward: an annual visual inspection, plus a Level 2 video scan when conditions warrant it. We perform both.
Every Heart's Chimney inspection is documented photographically and written up the same day. You leave with images of every chamber and joint we looked at, a plain-English summary of the findings, and fixed pricing on any work we recommend. No 'we'll see,' no upsell theater.
We work to the standards CSIA and NFPA 211 actually wrote — not a watered-down version. That includes the parts of the system most contractors skip: the smoke chamber, the damper, the flue tile joints, the crown and cap, and the exterior masonry condition all the way up the stack.
What an inspection actually prevents.
Chimney fire ignition
Annual sweeping eliminates the creosote that fuels chimney fires. Annual inspection catches the deteriorated mortar, missing cap, or unlined flue that would let a chimney fire become a house fire.
Carbon monoxide leak
A failing flue lining, deteriorated mortar joint, or improperly sized connector can leak combustion gases back into the living space. We test for it and document the airflow.
Water damage
Failed crowns, missing caps, and bad flashing are the four most common chimney leaks. We identify the source before it stains a ceiling or rots framing.
Insurance compliance
Most insurance policies require annual chimney maintenance on active wood-burning systems. Our inspection report serves as documentation if there's ever a claim.
Real-estate transaction readiness
A pre-listing or escrow inspection (Level 2) catches problems before they become buyer objections — and protects you from undisclosed-defect claims after close.
Equipment lifespan
Inserts, stoves, and prefab units have manufacturer service intervals. Annual inspection keeps them inside the warranty envelope and inside their safe service life.
The risks an inspection is built to find.
Hidden creosote in inaccessible flue sections
A Level 2 video scan reaches places a brush and a flashlight cannot — including offsets, smoke shelf interiors, and the upper third of the flue.
Deteriorated flue tile or liner damage
Cracked clay tiles, separated mortar joints, and damaged stainless flex liners are common in older systems. Each is a code violation and a fire hazard.
Compromised crown, cap, or flashing
The top of the chimney is where most weather damage enters. We document condition and recommend repair sequence by urgency.
Improper appliance clearance to combustibles
Inserts, stoves, and prefab units have specific clearance requirements. Many older installations no longer meet code. We document and recommend.
When to book an inspection.
Any single sign on this list is worth a phone call. Two or more is worth booking an inspection this week.
What an inspection actually looks like.
Schedule + arrival
Most weekday calls scheduled within a week of inquiry. We arrive on time, in a marked vehicle, with photo ID. Drop-cloth-protected floor work, no soot in the living room.
Level 1 visual + Level 2 if needed
Full visual inspection of every accessible component — firebox, smoke chamber, damper, flue, crown, cap, flashing, stack masonry. If conditions warrant Level 2, we deploy a video camera.
Written report, same day
Photographic documentation, plain-English findings, fixed pricing on any recommended work. Delivered to your email before we leave the driveway. No surprises.
Payment plans available on inspections + repair work.
We work with multiple home-improvement financing partners that offer 0% promo periods and longer-term plans on chimney repair, relining, and stove install work. Ask about it when we visit.
Chimney Inspections — frequently asked.
Level 1 visual: typically 30-45 minutes. Level 2 with video scan: 60-90 minutes. We do the work carefully — speed is not the metric.
Often booked together.
Chimney Sweeping
Deep mechanical sweep that pulls Stage 1, 2, and 3 creosote out of the flue system.
Chimney Troubleshooting
Diagnostic work for smoke-back, draft problems, water leaks, and seasonal odor.
Chimney Repairs
Crown rebuilds, flashing, tuckpointing, cap install, liner replacement, firebox repair.
Get your chimney on the inspection calendar.
CSIA-trained inspector, NFPA 211 protocol, written report same-day. Most North Bay homes scheduled within a week.