Costs & Process
A chimney inspection normally combines three things: a look at the stack, fireplace and appliance; a sweep so the flue is clear; and, where there is a specific concern, a smoke test or CCTV camera survey of the flue itself. Tell us why you want the inspection, whether you are buying a house, planning a stove or worried about smoke or damp, and we will suggest the check that answers that question.
Searching for a chimney inspection or chimney survey tends to bring up a mix of services. This page explains what each one shows, so you can book the right thing the first time.
The four common checks
Each check answers a different question, and they are often combined in one visit.
- Visual check: stack, pots, flashing, breast, hearth and appliance
- Sweep: clears deposits and shows how the flue draws
- Smoke test: fills the flue with test smoke to reveal leaks
- CCTV survey: a camera run up the flue to record its condition
When you need a camera survey
A camera survey is the one to choose when you need to see inside. It shows cracks, gaps in the mortar between flue sections, collapsed withes between neighbouring flues, old liners in poor condition and blockages that a brush cannot shift. It is especially useful before fitting a stove into an old chimney, or when buying a property with fireplaces that have not been used for years.
When a smoke test matters
If smoke or a smell appears in another room, upstairs or next door, a smoke test shows whether the flue is leaking and where. The flue is filled with harmless test smoke while someone checks the stack, loft and neighbouring rooms. It is often done alongside a camera survey so the leak can be seen as well as traced.
Preparing for the visit
Let the fire or stove go out well before we arrive so the flue is cold. Clear the area in front of the fireplace and, if you can, give access to the loft where the chimney passes through. Mention any history you know about: previous leaks, old liners, bird problems or when the chimney was last swept. After a sweep you receive a certificate; after a survey we talk you through what we found and what, if anything, needs doing.
What happens after the inspection
Most inspections end with one of three outcomes. The flue is clear and sound, so you can use it with a routine sweeping schedule. The flue works but needs attention, such as a cowl to cure downdraught, a guard against birds or repointing on the stack. Or the flue is not suitable as it stands, perhaps cracked, oversized or leaking, in which case lining it or choosing a different flue route is discussed before anything is lit.
Timing matters too. An inspection in late summer or early autumn leaves room to arrange any lining, cowl or repair before the heating season, whereas finding a problem on the first cold evening means going without the fire while it is sorted.
Whatever the result, you should understand it in plain terms and know what is urgent and what is advisory. If a survey was recorded, ask to see the footage of anything significant; being able to see a crack or a blockage yourself makes it far easier to decide on the next step with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a chimney inspection?
Usually a visual check of the stack, fireplace and appliance plus a sweep. A smoke test or CCTV survey is added when there is a specific concern about the flue.
Do I need a CCTV survey before fitting a stove?
It is strongly advisable when the chimney is old or its condition is unknown, because it shows whether the flue is sound or needs lining.
Should I get a chimney inspected when buying a house?
Yes, especially if the fireplaces have not been used recently. A sweep and camera survey show what you are taking on before you light a fire.
What does a smoke test show?
Whether smoke escapes from the flue anywhere other than the top, and roughly where the leak is, such as into a loft or neighbouring room.
Book the right chimney check
Sweeps, smoke tests and CCTV surveys. Tell us what you are worried about on 07826 049704.