A good chimney inspector?
A new home owner emails:
I am looking for a chimney inspector to perform a level 2 chimney inspection (with video inspection). It's been challenging this time of year to find someone with availability, and some companies have not returned my calls.
I would like to find a chimney business that is properly insured, CSIA certified, knowledgeable about gas insert fireplaces, and, of course, experienced.
Hoping to hear from people who have had good personal experiences ... as there are a lot of very mixed reviews out there about chimney/masonry companies.
It's understandable this is a busy time of year for this sort of business and may involve a wait. But if you're going to be using a fireplace, it's also worth having the chimney checked out.
So, got a suggestion for this new home owner? Please share! And a sentence or two about why you're recommending a service can be helpful.
Earlier: Be it known, this chimney has been swept (2013)
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Comments
We just had Altamont Chimney Sweep inspect ours yesterday, and were very happy with the service. Our chimney did not require video inspection, so I can't attest to that aspect, but the service tech did a very thorough job. He arrived during the window that was originally quoted, and checked the fireplace box, attic, and basement portions of the chimney, and told us that a cleaning was not necessary.
Pictures from their website seem to show they will do work from the roof as well if needed.
The tech was very friendly and knowledgeable - he gave us useful tips (this is our first time with a fireplace) and told us things to look out for in the future, especially regarding natural gas exhaust from the boiler and how it could affect the brickwork.
We procrastinated (meant to have it done in the off season), so there was about a month wait from when we made the appointment in early November. Overall, very satisfied - they were recommended to us, and we would pass the recommendation on again.
https://altamontchimneysweep.com/
... said Paul on Dec 4, 2018 at 1:27 PM | link
When we first bought our house in 2003, we had a company come to clean our fireplace. They said we needed $6000 of chimney repair (inside the chimney) and refused to clean our fireplace. i suspected this guy was trying to scam us a bit. we then had Matchless Stove our of Glenmont come out. They said our fireplace was in pretty good shape and cleaned it. About 12 years later we had them back for a 2nd (we only have about 5-8 fires per year) and they said our fireplace still looked good inside. We've never had any other issues with our fireplace, so I trust Matchless. Note: they did not use a camera in our house as it wasn't needed. Good luck!
... said grandmastergus on Dec 4, 2018 at 6:44 PM | link
Matchless Stove & Chimney in Glenmont, 518/463-2085, are excellent for all things chimney related - both cleaning and servicing. Isaiah Madden and his staff are personable, thorough and knowledgeable. We had a terrible chimney-based leak into the master bedroom ceiling and they were the only firm that was able to fix it.
... said Sara Harmon on Dec 4, 2018 at 8:33 PM | link
Have been very happy with Blue Goose Chimney Sweep
... said Dave on Dec 5, 2018 at 4:43 AM | link
Windswept Chimney. Video inspected our chimney when we bought our house in 2005. Showed us the evidence that there had been a previous fire damaging the lining of the fireplace chimney. Relined the furnace chimney with an insert after also finding damage there (gases had eaten away brick, meaning the lining was shot). We haven't bothered with the fireplace so we still haven't had Frank reline the fireplace chimney, but will eventually. He's never pushed to get us to do extra work. Has swept our furnace chimney annually since we moved in.
... said SchenectaDana on Dec 5, 2018 at 8:50 PM | link