See inside your chimney before it becomes a serious problem.
We run a high-resolution camera up the flue and give you a clear visual record of what is there, and what is not.
Camera
Inspection
Visual Flue Evaluation
Why a camera inspection matters
A standard home inspection includes a visual check of the firebox and accessible portions of the chimney. But the flue liner, the part that actually contains heat and combustion gases, is not visible from below. A camera changes that.
Fire Risk
Cracked or deteriorated flue liners can allow heat and embers to reach combustible framing materials. What you cannot see can hurt you.
Carbon Monoxide
Gaps and cracks in the liner can allow carbon monoxide and combustion gases to back-draft into living areas instead of venting safely to the exterior.
Buyer and Seller Confidence
A documented camera inspection removes the uncertainty around chimney condition during a real estate transaction. No surprises after closing.
Older Homes
Masonry chimneys in homes built before the 1980s often lack a clay tile liner or have one that has deteriorated over decades of use. You need to know what is in there.
What our camera looks for
We run the camera from the firebox up through the full length of the flue and document what we find. Here are the visible defects we are checking for.
Clay tile liners can crack from heat cycling, seismic movement, or settling. Gaps between tiles are also common.
Brick and mortar breakdown inside the flue that narrows the draft area or exposes the chimney structure to heat and moisture.
Heavy glaze or stage two and three creosote deposits that represent a fire hazard and indicate the chimney needs cleaning before use.
Bird nests, debris, displaced tiles, or collapsed sections that block or restrict the flue and prevent safe operation.
Older masonry chimneys may have an unlined flue or a liner that has collapsed, leaving open masonry as the only barrier.
Visible misalignment between the flue liner sections or connections that do not seal properly and allow bypass of combustion gases.
How it works
We set up at the firebox
Your inspector positions the camera at the firebox opening and begins the feed. No ladders on the roof are required for a standard flue evaluation.
Camera runs the full flue
The camera travels the length of the flue, capturing live video and still images of the liner condition, mortar joints, and any visible obstructions along the way.
We review findings with you
Defects are documented with images and noted in your inspection report. We walk you through what we saw and what it means in plain language.
Report delivered same day
Your report is delivered digitally within 24 hours, typically the same evening. Images from the flue camera are included in the report.
A note on scope
Bent Nail Home Inspection Services is not a certified chimney sweep. Our camera inspection is a visual evaluation of the flue for visible defects and conditions. We do not clean chimneys, remove creosote, repair liners, or certify chimneys for operation. If the camera identifies conditions that require correction, we will recommend you engage a certified chimney sweep or CSIA-certified professional for further evaluation and any needed work.
Common questions
No. The standard home inspection includes a visual check of the accessible portions of the chimney, firebox, and damper. The flue camera inspection is an add-on service that we run up the interior of the flue liner and is priced separately.
Not for a standard flue camera inspection. The camera enters from the firebox at the bottom and runs up. We do recommend checking the exterior crown and cap from ground level or by ladder as part of the overall chimney evaluation.
We will document what the camera shows and describe what we observe. We are not a certified chimney sweep and do not certify chimneys for use. If visible conditions indicate the chimney should not be used before evaluation by a specialist, we will say so clearly in the report.
Yes. We can run the camera in a gas appliance flue the same way. The liner condition and connection integrity are still relevant regardless of fuel type.
Defects are photographed, noted in the report, and we will recommend further evaluation or correction by a qualified chimney professional. In a real estate context, documented findings give buyers and sellers a clear basis for negotiation or repair prior to closing.
Yes. The chimney camera inspection can be added on to a scheduled home inspection or booked as a standalone service. Call us or mention it when scheduling online and we will make sure it is included.