Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Trusted Chimney Inspection for Tempe Homeowners
A chimney can look fine from the living room and still have a cracked flue, a failing crown, or creosote packed into a bend you can’t see. That gap between appearance and reality is exactly what an inspection closes. Our technicians have up to 9 years of experience reading the signs that a sweep alone won’t reveal, and they document what they find so you know what’s safe, what needs repair now, and what can wait. Homeowners in Tempe call us after buying an older home with an unknown chimney history, after a winter of heavy burning, or after another company told them the flue needed work they couldn’t verify. We answer 24/7 at (866) 827-7102, and we can often schedule a same-day visit. Tempe Chimney Sweep handles the sweep, the inspection, and the repair as one job, so a finding doesn’t send you searching for a second contractor.
Fireplace Inspection
Fireplace Inspection at Tempe Chimney Sweep is a room-by-room look at the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, and the visible chimney structure above and below the roofline. You need it if you’ve never had the fireplace checked, if smoke rolls into the room instead of up the flue, or if you’ve just moved into a house where the last owner’s burning habits are unknown. We inspect before we clean, so we don’t disturb evidence we need to see, and we photograph each area we check. A fireplace inspection in Tempe typically runs $150 to $275, with the written estimate setting the final price. The result is a plain assessment: what’s sound, what’s worn, and whether the damper and firebox are safe to use this season.
Firebox and Damper Check
We check the firebox brickwork for spalling and open mortar joints, and we test the damper to confirm it opens and seals cleanly. A damper that sticks open wastes heat and lets cold air and pests in; one that won’t open fully pushes smoke into the room. These are small findings now and expensive ones later.
Smoke Chamber and Hearth Review
The smoke chamber above the damper is where a lot of fireplaces underperform, because its corbeled walls collect creosote and disrupt draft. We look at the shape and condition of those surfaces and at the hearth for gaps that could let embers through. If the chamber needs smoothing, HeatShield resurfacing is an option that reshapes the flue without tearing it out.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
Chimney Inspection Services
Chimney Inspection Services at Tempe Chimney Sweep cover the full condition of the system, from the cap down to the firebox, and end with a documented report you can keep. They’re right for anyone who wants a real answer rather than a verbal “looks fine,” and they’re the natural next step after a sweep turns up something unusual. Because we also handle chimney repair, the findings translate directly into options: a Gelco or Olympia Chimney cap where one is missing, a new liner where the old one has failed, or a note that the current setup is sound. Chimney inspection services in Tempe usually cost $150 to $350, and the written estimate fixes the price before any work starts.
What the Report Covers
Our report documents the exterior, the cap, the crown, the flue interior, the firebox, and the damper, with photos of anything that matters. You’ll see the same images we saw, not just a summary sentence. That way you can weigh the repair decision yourself.
When to Book One
Book an inspection after buying a home, after a chimney fire, after a storm moves the cap, or any year you’ve burned more than usual. Annual inspection pairs well with an annual sweep, since the two together catch problems early. In a climate where winter burning runs from mild to heavy depending on the household, a yearly look keeps you ahead of it.
Chimney Flue Inspection
Chimney Flue Inspection focuses on the flue itself: the liner, its joints, the offset sections, and the clearances that keep heat away from framing. It’s the inspection you want when the question is whether the flue still safely carries smoke and gases out of the house. Cracks in a clay tile liner can let carbon monoxide and hot gases into the wall cavity, and a camera is the only reliable way to see the upper sections. A flue inspection in Tempe typically costs $175 to $350 depending on roof access and whether a camera is needed, with the written estimate setting the final price. Our technicians have up to 9 years of experience and can tell you plainly when a flue issue can be monitored and when it can’t.
Liner Condition and Joint Gaps
We look for cracked tiles, missing mortar at the joints, and gaps where a flue steps over. Even small gaps matter because creosote and moisture find them. Where the liner has deteriorated, DuraFlex flexible liner systems let us reline the flue without rebuilding the chimney around it.
Clearances to Combustibles
The clearance between the chimney and nearby framing, insulation, and roof decking is part of what makes a chimney safe. We check the accessible areas for anything that’s been built too close or stuffed where it shouldn’t be. Heat transfer through an under-clearanced chimney is a slow problem, which is why it needs a trained eye.
Chimney Fire
Chimney Fire is the event that inspection exists to prevent, and it often starts with a quiet crackle and a burst of smoke that homeowners dismiss. Creosote builds in stages: Stage 1 is what a sweep removes easily, Stage 2 is glazed and tacky, and Stage 3 is a hardened crust that won’t brush out and calls for professional removal. A chimney fire can damage the flue liner, distort a metal flue, or crack tiles without obvious signs from the room. If you’ve had one, or suspect you have, we inspect the whole system before you burn again. Inspection after a chimney fire in Tempe usually runs $175 to $350, with the written estimate confirming the price. Our chimney repair work includes HeatShield flue resurfacing where the masonry can be restored, so a full teardown isn’t always the answer.
Recognizing the Signs
Puffs of black smoke from the top, a low rumble, and a sudden jump in temperature on a flue thermometer are common signs, along with creosote flakes on the roof. A fire can also burn quietly in a chimney and be over before anyone notices. Any of these signs is a reason to book an inspection before the next burn.
Preventing the Next One
Burning seasoned wood and scheduling a sweep before creosote has time to reach Stage 2 or 3 are the two habits that matter most. A cap also helps by keeping rain, animals, and debris out of the flue. We specify caps from Gelco, Famco, and Olympia Chimney for that reason.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
Level 2 Chimney Inspection is the standard inspection for a home sale, a change of fuel type, an appliance replacement, or after any chimney event, and it includes everything a basic check covers plus a camera look at the flue interior. Most home inspectors only do a visual read from the ground and hearth; a Level 2 goes further, into the flue and the attic and roof access where a chimney meets framing. Realtors and buyers in Tempe ask for it because it’s the inspection that actually answers questions about a chimney with an unknown history. A Level 2 in Tempe typically costs $225 to $400, and the written estimate is agreed before we book. Our report pairs the camera findings with photos so nothing is left as a verbal claim.
Sales and Fuel Changes
When a house changes hands, the new owner inherits whatever the chimney has been doing for years, and a Level 2 documents its real condition. A change from wood to gas, or the other way, also calls for it because clearances and venting requirements differ. The report gives both sides a factual basis.
The Camera at the Center
The flue camera is a small video unit passed down the interior to see the liner, joints, and any offsets. It shows us what no amount of looking up from the firebox can reveal. You get the footage as part of the assessment, so the findings are yours to check.
Chimney Leak
Chimney Leak at Tempe Chimney Sweep is the diagnosis and fix for water showing up where it shouldn’t: stains on the ceiling near the chimney, rust on the firebox or damper, damp masonry, or crumbling mortar on the exterior. Leaks come from several sources, and guessing is expensive. A failed crown, missing cap, worn flashing at the roof, or a cracked flue can all let water in, and the repair is different for each. We find the actual source before proposing anything, using the same inspection process we apply to any other condition. Chimney leak repair in Tempe generally runs $250 to $1,200 depending on what’s failed, and the written estimate sets the final price. Where the leak has caused flue damage, HeatShield resurfacing or a DuraFlex liner can put the flue right without a rebuild.
Tracing the Source
We check the crown, cap, flashing, masonry, and flue in sequence so we know which one is actually letting water in. A cap that’s missing or too small is a common finding, and it’s often the easiest fix. What we don’t do is sell masonry work on a guess.
Crown and Flashing Repairs
The crown is the concrete cap at the top of the chimney, and cracks in it send water down the sides of the flue. Roof flashing is the metal that seals the chimney to the roof, and when it lifts or corrodes it leaks at the base. Both are repairable without replacing the chimney.
Chimney Camera Inspection
Chimney Camera Inspection puts a video camera down the flue so we can see what’s actually going on inside the chimney, not just what’s visible from the hearth. You need it whenever the flue condition is unknown, after a chimney fire, during a home purchase, or before any relining decision. A camera inspection in Tempe typically costs $200 to $350, with the written estimate confirming the price. The footage shows cracked tiles, gaps at joints, heavy creosote, animal nests, and disconnected sections that an eyeball check would miss. Our technicians review the video with you and explain what each finding means for the next step, whether that’s a sweep, a Gelco cap, or a DuraFlex liner.
What the Camera Reveals
The camera shows the whole length of the flue, including offsets where creosote and debris collect. It also reveals the true condition of a metal liner, which can look intact at the top and be rusted through lower down. Seeing it is the only honest way to recommend a repair.
Why Photos Matter
Photos and video keep the conversation factual, since you can see the exact spot we’re describing. It also means you can get a second opinion from the footage if you want one. We’d rather you trust your own eyes.
Brands We Service
We work with a fixed set of professional chimney brands so that the repair matches the problem. HeatShield is our choice for flue resurfacing because the compound bonds to the existing masonry and smooths the interior, which restores structural integrity and improves draft without a full liner teardown. DuraFlex flexible liner systems are what we reach for on relining projects, both partial and full, because the liner follows the shape of the existing flue and works in offsets where rigid liner won’t. Gelco, Famco, and Olympia Chimney supply the caps and covers we specify, since a purpose-built cap protects against rain and animals better than a generic store substitute.
Copperfield rounds out the line for accessories and the parts that finish a job properly. Knowing where each product fits means we’re not improvising a repair with hardware-store parts and hoping it holds. Our technicians have up to 9 years of experience across these systems, and we can diagnose what’s failed before recommending a replacement. Whether you have HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, Copperfield, or any other make, we can help.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- Smoke rolling into the room. A fireplace that puffs smoke back into the house usually has a blockage, a closed damper, or a draft problem. Some causes are simple; others point to a cracked flue that needs attention before you burn again.
- Creosote flakes on the roof or in the firebox. Flakes mean creosote has built past the brushing stage. It’s a reason to book a sweep and inspection rather than keep burning.
- Water stains or rust near the chimney. Stains on the ceiling or rust on the damper mean water is getting in somewhere. The longer it runs, the more masonry it reaches.
- A smell of smoke in the house when the fireplace isn’t lit. A cold chimney can push smoke smells back through the flue, and it can also signal a failed liner that’s letting gases escape. It deserves a look.
- You’ve never had the chimney checked. An unknown history is the most common reason people call us. A documented inspection turns that unknown into a clear picture of what’s safe and what needs work.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Book and confirm the scope. We ask what’s going on with the chimney and set the right inspection level for the question. The estimate is free, and the written price is agreed before we book.
- 2
Protect the room and inspect. We lay drop cloths before any work and start with the firebox, damper, and smoke chamber so we see the condition before cleaning changes it.
- 3
Go up and down the flue. We check the cap, crown, flashing, and masonry from the roof and pass the camera down the flue. The video and photos become the record of what we find.
- 4
Review the findings with you. We walk through what’s sound, what needs repair now, and what can wait, in plain terms. You see the same footage we do.
- 5
Offer repair options where needed. If something’s failed, we quote the fix using the right brand for the job, whether that’s HeatShield resurfacing, a DuraFlex liner, or a new Gelco cap. Nothing happens until you approve the written estimate.
How Much Does Chimney Inspection Cost in Tempe?
A standard chimney inspection in Tempe runs $150 to $275. A Level 2 inspection, which adds a full flue camera review and attic and roof access, typically runs $225 to $400. A camera inspection booked on its own usually costs $200 to $350, and an inspection after a chimney fire or a suspected leak tends to sit at the upper end because more of the system needs to be checked.
What moves the price is the level of inspection, the roof pitch and access, whether camera work is needed, and whether the chimney has multiple flues. A straightforward single-flue chimney on an easy roof sits at the lower end. A two-story home with a steep roof and a camera run down an offset flue lands higher.
The way to avoid overpaying is to insist on evidence. Ask for the camera footage and photos before you agree to any repair, and ask what happens if you do nothing this year. A chimney specialist should be able to tell you when a small issue can be monitored and when it can’t. That’s why our inspection ends with a documented report rather than a verbal push toward a big job.
Our estimate is free and covers the inspection scope and any repair options in writing. Call (866) 827-7102 for an exact quote. We answer 24/7.
Our Service Area Near Tempe
We inspect and repair chimneys throughout Tempe and the surrounding East Valley, including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Scottsdale. We also work in Phoenix, Glendale, Avondale, Casa Grande, and Ak-Chin Village. Scheduling is straightforward: call and we’ll confirm the opening nearest you. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. Call (866) 827-7102 to book.
Serving Tempe, AZ – Our Local Coverage Area
We serve Tempe and nearby communities. Use the map below to see the area we cover. If you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Inspection in Tempe
A chimney inspection is a condition assessment of the whole chimney system: firebox, damper, smoke chamber, flue, cap, crown, flashing, and the chimney’s clearances. It’s how you find out whether the chimney is safe to use before something goes wrong. We document what we find with photos and video, so the report is something you can check rather than take on faith. Call (866) 827-7102 to book one.
Most single-flue inspections take about 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on roof access and whether a camera run is included. A Level 2 with attic and roof access sits toward the longer end. If we find something during the inspection, we’ll explain it before we leave, so you’re not waiting on a call. Call (866) 827-7102 for an exact quote.
A standard inspection in Tempe runs $150 to $275, a Level 2 runs $225 to $400, and a standalone camera inspection runs $200 to $350. The written estimate sets the final price. Our estimate is free, and we don’t start anything until you’ve approved it. Call (866) 827-7102 for an exact quote.
Yes. We work with HeatShield for flue resurfacing, DuraFlex for relining, and caps and accessories from Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield. We can inspect and repair a chimney built with those components and recommend the right one for a failed part. If you have an older system with a brand you’re unsure of, bring the details and we’ll go from there. Call (866) 827-7102 for a free estimate.
We can often schedule a same-day inspection, though it depends on the day’s openings. The phone line is answered 24/7, and fast dispatch runs from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. A call outside dispatch hours is booked into the next opening. Call (866) 827-7102 to check availability.
Our inspection produces a documented report, and any repair we recommend is quoted in writing with the exact scope and materials before we start. We specify the brand and product, such as a DuraFlex liner or a Gelco cap, so you know what’s going in. If a finding turns out differently once we’re in the chimney, we stop and talk with you before changing the price. Call (866) 827-7102 for a free estimate.
Clear the area around the fireplace, move any furniture or rugs that would block access to the hearth, and make sure we can reach the roof and attic access if those are part of the inspection. Let us know about any known issues, like a smoky fireplace or water stains. Hold off on burning for the day so the flue is cool and clean. Call (866) 827-7102 to book.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Service in Tempe Today
If your chimney has an unknown history or you’ve been told the flue needs attention, an inspection gives you a real answer instead of a guess. We document what’s safe, what needs repair, and what can wait. Call (866) 827-7102. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. Estimates are free, and nothing is done without your written approval.
Written by the team at Tempe Chimney Sweep.