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Chimney Inspections for Real Estate Transactions

We work for the buyer or buyer's agent only

When you want an accurate, honest evaluation of the condition of a masonry chimney, prefabricated chimney, fireplace, wood stove or insert, gas stove or insert, furnace flue, hot water heater flue, or boiler flue call us. We are highly trained in doing professional evaluations.

Ifyou would like to set up a Level I or II chimney inspection, please print this PDF file, fill out and fax to us.

Note that we must inspect all chimney flues at the location, including the following
- Fireplace flues
- Wood, gas, and pellet stove flues
- Woodburning furnace flues
- Gas furnace flues
- Gas hot water heater flues (may be in combination with gas flue)
- Boiler flues

This is for your safety and our liability.  You'll want to know the condition of ALL flues and chimneys at the property before entering into a contract.

Most home inspectors do NOT do chimney inspections, get on the top of the chimney, or do a level II internal evaluation of the chimney system.  This is where our expertise comes in.  The NFPA 211 Standards require a Level II inspection of all chimneys and flues at the time of sale of a property.  Our inspectors will look for problems such as:

  • Chimney fire damage.  Often, homeowners are not aware they had a chimney fire.  Damages may include broken flue tiles, blown out sections of tile or mortar joints, blown out mortar in the smoke chamber, cracked masonry, cracked or lifted cement crown, damaged chimney covers or warped and buckled metal flues. These are potential fire and carbon monoxide hazards.
  • Rain damage.  The interior of a chimney may have deteriorated and/or missing mortar joints due to exposure to rain and acidic flue gasses over the years.  This can be a fire and carbon monoxide hazard.
  • Negative house pressure. Negative house pressure can cause smoking fireplaces, backup of CO from fireplaces and gas-burning appliances, and poor indoor air quality.
  • Improper parts installed on a pre-fabricated fireplace that can cause overheating of the appliance and house fires.
  • Improper installation of fireplace inserts or freestanding stoves, connecting pipes, and flue liners
  • Improper clearances to combustibles
  • Improper construction of chimneys/fireplaces

 

 

 


 HearthMasters, Inc. 
Padgitt Chimney & Fireplace   Padgitt Forensic Investigations     
 816-461-3665  www.chimkc.com

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