Our Services

What our chimney inspection covers in Winter Springs

Chimney inspections across Winter Springs are free, and each finding is explained on site by our family-owned team.

When a closer examination is called for

NFPA 211 asks for a more thorough examination at certain moments. These include the sale or transfer of a property, a change to the appliance connected to the chimney, plans to reline the flue and damage from a storm or another event.

In those situations the accessible parts of the chimney deserve more attention than a routine look through the opening. We tell you in advance what the visit will reach, including attic or crawl space areas that can be entered without removing permanent parts. If a concealed section matters to the decision in front of you, we explain what it would take to see it.

Hearth extension in front of the opening

The hearth extension protects the floor in front of the fireplace from embers and heat. The building code requires noncombustible material and sets how far it must extend in front of and beside the opening.

We check that the hearth is intact, suits the size of the opening and has no cracks that could let heat reach the flooring below. Tile or stone added over the years is noted when it changes the arrangement, and so is a hearth that has settled away from the firebox. Any repair is described with the material it would use.

Glass doors and screens at the opening

Glass doors and mesh screens stand between the fire and the room. We check that the doors open and close properly, the glass is not cracked and the frame is secure against the fireplace face.

On a factory-built unit, doors must be a type listed for that model. Replacement doors that were not listed for the unit are noted, because they can change how the fireplace handles heat. For a masonry fireplace, we look at how the frame is fastened and whether gaps around it let smoke escape into the room.

Spark screens on masonry chimneys

Where a spark arrestor is installed on a masonry chimney, the Florida Building Code sets how fine its mesh may be and requires it to be accessible and removable for cleaning.

Holes, heavy clogging and corrosion in the screen are noted, along with whether it can still be removed. A screen packed with soot or leaves restricts the flow of exhaust, while a torn one no longer stops embers or animals. Cleaning or replacement is described in the findings.