Flashing
Metal flashing at the roof line is checked for rust, failed sealant and gaps since it is a common leak point.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Inspection Northbrook, IL
Before you light another fire, a Northbrook chimney inspection shows what condition the flue is in, from a basic annual look to a camera scan of the full flue. One call to (224) 458-2675 reaches a chimney sweep near you.
Most chimney damage happens where you cannot see it. Cracked liner tiles, eroded mortar, a split crown and loose flashing are common, along with blockages from nests and fallen debris. Each one raises the risk of a house fire or of combustion gases leaking indoors.
Under the NFPA 211 standard, every chimney, fireplace and vent should be inspected once a year. The industry uses three levels of inspection, and the right one depends on the situation rather than on preference. Unchanged chimneys get the basic level, and changes or damage step it up.
Many chimney inspection calls in Northbrook also turn up a need for chimney cleaning or chimney repair.
Dealing with this in Northbrook, IL right now? Call (224) 458-2675 to talk to a local chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
How a chimney inspection works
A good inspection works through the whole system and ends with a clear explanation.
Gather the history
The technician asks what burns in the chimney, how often and whether anything has changed which tells the technician where to focus.
Check the firebox
The firebox walls, hearth, damper and smoke chamber are checked with a bright light for damaged brick, open mortar joints and buildup.
Scan the flue
A camera on a flexible rod shows the inside of the liner, joint by joint and the recording can be reviewed with you.
Check the exterior
From the roof or a ladder, the crown, cap, flashing and brickwork are checked for cracks, spalling and gaps that let water in.
Check clearances
Where the chimney passes through accessible attics and basements, the technician looks for scorching, water stains and gaps to make sure heat is not reaching the structure.
Written report
The technician walks through each problem, how serious it is and what fixes it and whether the chimney can be used in the meantime.
What is included
What a chimney inspection covers
Chimney crown
The crown is checked for cracks, shrinkage and gaps around the flue tile along with the cap and its screen.
Firebox walls
The firebox walls and floor are checked for loose brick, open joints and cracked panels along with the hearth extension in front.
Liner condition
Clay tile, metal and cast liners are checked for cracks, gaps, missing mortar and heavy creosote because the liner protects the house from heat and gases.
Exterior brick
Brick, stone and mortar joints are checked for spalling, cracks and erosion which can mean repointing is due.
Related service
Level 1 Chimney Inspection Northbrook, IL
A level 1 inspection is the basic annual check for a chimney that is being used the same way it has been, with no changes and no known problems. The technician checks the readily accessible parts of the chimney exterior and interior, the appliance and its connection to the flue.
A level 1 inspection is often part of a yearly sweep in Northbrook. Anything suspicious found during a level 1 check can lead to a recommendation for a level 2.
Related service
Level 2 Chimney Inspection Northbrook, IL
Level 2 adds a camera scan of the full flue and a check of accessible attics, basements and crawl spaces to everything in a level 1. It is called for when the system has changed, such as a new fuel, a relining or a different appliance, and when a home is sold or transferred. It is also the right inspection after a chimney fire, a lightning strike, a severe storm or any malfunction that could have damaged the chimney.
Home buyers in Northbrook benefit most from a level 2 inspection, since a general home inspection rarely looks inside the flue. Nothing is torn out, but the camera lets you see the flue from the inside.
Related service
Level 3 Chimney Inspection Northbrook, IL
The level 3 inspection includes everything in levels 1 and 2 and adds access to concealed parts of the chimney. Reaching those areas can require removing drywall, paneling or part of the chimney itself. Because it involves removal and restoration, it is only recommended when there is real evidence of concealed damage.
A level 3 might follow a chimney fire that damaged parts hidden inside walls, or a camera scan that shows something needing a closer look.
Local help
Chimney Inspection Near Me
In Northbrook, a chimney works hard during the heating season and takes the weather the rest of the year. Older homes in Northbrook and nearby towns such as Deerfield, Glenview, Northfield and Glencoe often have clay tile flues and brick that has been through many winters, and water working into the masonry is behind much of the damage an inspection finds.
Searching for chimney inspection near me from Northbrook or Deerfield, Glenview, Northfield and Glencoe? Call (224) 458-2675 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
Chimneys in this climate
This part of the country gets long winters, heavy snow in places and stretches of bitter cold. Heating systems and wood stoves work nearly nonstop for months, which means fast creosote buildup and a lot of stress on liners, crowns and flashing. Snow drifting against the back of a chimney melts slowly and works water under tired flashing. Most chimney cleaning in Northbrook, IL happens right before the first snow.
Why call
Why act early
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Familiar with local homes
Local sweeps see the same chimney types and weather wear across Northbrook and nearby towns.
Straight answers
Ask your questions before you agree to anything.
Chimney Inspection FAQ
Is a general home inspection enough for the chimney?
Most general home inspectors look at the chimney from the outside and the firebox, which leaves the length of the flue unseen. A level 2 chimney inspection with a camera scan is the way to see the liner itself.
Why do sweeps use a camera to inspect the flue?
Video scanning lets the technician see the full length of the liner, which a flashlight from the firebox cannot reach. It shows cracked tiles, open joints, missing mortar, creosote buildup and obstructions.
Can I use my fireplace before the inspection?
What has happened since the last check decides it. Signs of a past chimney fire, water damage, heavy smoke or a blockage are all reasons to hold off until it is checked. Keep working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the house either way.
How often should a chimney be inspected?
Fire safety guidance says once a year, every year, for every chimney and vent in the home. Even a chimney you seldom use should be checked, because nests, leaks and weather do their damage whether or not you burn.
Which chimney inspection level do I need?
Each level builds on the one before, and level 1 is the routine yearly check. A level 2 includes a video scan and is needed after changes, sales and events like chimney fires or storms. Level 3 adds removing parts of the building or chimney to reach concealed areas when a serious hazard is suspected.
More questions? Call (224) 458-2675
Other services that may help
Chimney Cleaning
Sweeping soot and creosote out of fireplace and stove chimneys of every kind, to cut the risk of a chimney fire.
Learn moreChimney Repair
Chimney repairs from the cap and crown down to the firebox, before small damage turns into a rebuild.
Learn moreChimney Liner Repair
Restoring a damaged chimney liner so smoke and gases stay sealed inside the flue.
Learn moreChimney Leak Repair
Stopping chimney leaks at the source, whether the drip shows up in the attic, the ceiling or the firebox.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to a Northbrook chimney sweep about chimney inspection
Call (224) 458-2675 for a local chimney sweep in Northbrook and nearby towns.
(224) 458-2675
Free to call. No forms to fill out.