Inspection
Camera Chimney Inspection
A camera inspection puts a small, lighted video camera inside the flue so its interior surfaces and joints can be seen directly. It turns guesswork into a picture: cracked tiles, open joints, buildup, and blockages that are invisible from the fireplace become clear on screen.
Why an interior scan matters
From the hearth you can see only the first stretch of flue. Damage often hides above that: a liner tile cracked by a past chimney fire, a joint that has opened, a section narrowed by creosote or a nest. A camera travels the length of the flue and shows those conditions where they are.
This is what makes a scan valuable before you rely on a chimney, especially in an older home or one whose history you do not know.
How it fits with other inspections
A camera scan is a core part of a Level 2 inspection, and it is also useful on its own when a specific question comes up, such as confirming a liner is intact before a new appliance is connected, or checking the interior after a suspected chimney fire.
We pair the footage with what we observe elsewhere in the system so the picture is complete rather than relying on video alone.
What the footage supports
Seeing the interior helps decide the right next step: continued use, a targeted repair, relining, or a smoke chamber correction. It also gives a clear record of the flue's condition at a point in time. We describe what the camera reached and where the view ended, rather than implying the entire concealed system was verified.
A camera scan helps when
- You want to confirm liner condition before relying on the chimney
- A new appliance is being connected
- There was a suspected chimney fire
- A leak or draft problem needs the interior checked
- You are buying a home with an unknown chimney history
- A visual-only inspection couldn't see far enough
A camera scan can reveal
- Cracked or displaced liner tiles
- Open or failed joints
- Buildup or a blockage narrowing the flue
- A nest or debris lodged in the flue
- Moisture damage inside the flue
- The extent and location of interior problems
Serving St. Louis & Kansas City
We provide camera chimney inspection across both of our home regions — the St. Louis metro, including the Metro East communities in Illinois, and the Kansas City metro on both the Missouri and Kansas sides — generally within about 65 miles of each city. Wherever you are, the approach is the same: we look at the actual system on site, explain what we find in plain terms, and lay out the options before any work begins. We use cautious, honest language about what we can and can't determine, and we don't quote a price or promise a fix for a problem we haven't assessed in person. Each metro has its own direct phone number, so you always reach the right place, and we're available around the clock to take your call and get you on the schedule.
The right depth of inspection depends on why you are looking: an unchanged system in steady use, a home sale, a post-event check, or a change of appliance or fuel each point to a different level, and access to the chimney affects what can be reached.
Keeping ahead of it
An inspection is most useful as a routine, not a reaction. Having the system looked at each year — and stepping up to a fuller inspection when you're buying, selling, changing the setup, or after an event — gives you a documented starting point and keeps you from discovering a problem at the worst possible time.
Questions
Camera Chimney Inspection FAQs
Can you inspect the flue without going on the roof?
Depending on the system, a camera can be run from the top or the base. We choose the approach that gives the clearest, safest view of your flue.
Is a camera scan the same as a full inspection?
The scan is one important tool. A full inspection also covers the firebox, structure, cap, crown, and connections. We use the scan within that broader assessment.
Do I need a clean flue for the camera to work?
Heavy soot can obscure the camera's view. When buildup is in the way, cleaning first produces a much more reliable scan.
Do you service both St. Louis and Kansas City?
Yes. This is one of the services we provide across both the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas, each with its own direct phone number. Call the number for your area and we'll take it from there.
St. Louis metro
Camera Chimney Inspection near St. Louis
Available across the St. Louis service area, including:
Kansas City metro
Camera Chimney Inspection near Kansas City
Available across the Kansas City service area, including:
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Get in touch
Request camera chimney inspection
Tell us about your chimney or fireplace and the best number to reach you. Full name, phone, and ZIP are required.
- Available 24/7 to take your call and schedule a visit.
- We assess the system on site and explain options before any work.
- Serving the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas.