Video inspecting chimneys allows the sweep to examine the entire flue for missing mortar joints and cracked flue tiles.

We here at American Chimney offer free video scanning for all brick fireplaces. Video inspecting is where we use a camera system lowered into the chimney (or pushed up from the bottom). The camera allows us to inspect the chimney instead of just looking from the top or bottom. The camera image displays on a TV monitor by the inspector. We recommend video inspections if the customer or sweep suspects certain problems. We recommend video inspections when a chimney fire or some other form of damage occurs to a chimney. Also, they are a routine part of a Level II or Level III inspection.

Benefits of a Chim-Scan Video Inspection

A Chim-Scan video inspection not only pinpoints damage in the flue system, it can diagnose chimney fire damage, spot “patch” jobs done by non-professional chimney servicemen, and also indicate the presence of animals or nesting materials which are a fire hazard to the entire home. If the chimney was built improperly outright, using a Chim-Scan video camera will aid in documenting the existing condition so that repair will be easier.

If you have had a chimney fire, a Chim-Scan inspection is particularly important. It can help to indicate what the cause of the chimney fire was, how much damage was sustained during the fire, and aid the homeowner by thoroughly documenting the situation so that an accurate claim can be filed.