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 Pittsburgh Homeowners
A chimney can look fine from the living room and still have a cracked flue tile, a failed crown, or a hidden creosote pocket waiting for the first cold night. Getting a real inspection done in Pittsburgh before burning season tells you exactly what condition your system is in, in writing, with photos you can see for yourself. Our technicians have up to 14 years of experience reading the inside of flues, and we only recommend work the camera evidence supports. No guesswork, no upsell from a clipboard. We answer 24/7 at (844) 761-5636, and we can often book a same-day inspection when you call early in the day.
Fireplace Inspection
Fireplace Inspection is a close examination of the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, and the visible parts of the flue from the hearth side, and it’s what you want before lighting the first fire of the season or after a long stretch of no use. You need one if the fire smells smoky in the room, if the damper sticks, or if you’ve moved into a Pittsburgh home and don’t know the last time the fireplace was opened up. We check the firebox for spalling brick and loose mortar, look at how the damper seals, and inspect the smoke shelf for creosote buildup. A typical fireplace inspection in Pittsburgh runs $99-$250 depending on how much of the system we can reach and whether a camera is needed. The written estimate sets the final price, and it’s always free.
Firebox and Damper Check
The firebox takes the most direct heat of anything in the system, so mortar joints crack and firebrick spalls over time. We check the damper plate for a tight seal and confirm it opens and closes without binding.
Smoke Chamber and Shelf
The smoke chamber is where fires back-puff when it’s rough-surfaced or coated in creosote. We inspect for gaps and buildup that push smoke back into the room instead of up the flue.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
Chimney Inspection Services
Chimney Inspection Services cover the whole system: the firebox, flue, crown, cap, flashing, and exterior stack, all looked at in one visit so you get a complete picture instead of a piecemeal answer. You need these when you’re buying a home in Pittsburgh, after a chimney fire, when you’ve had water stains on the ceiling, or when it’s simply been a few years since anyone looked. We work inspection-first, so every recommendation you get from us traces back to something we saw and photographed. That’s why we carry brands like HeatShield for restoring mortar joints when the liner is still sound, and Copperfield for caps and flashing that keep water out between visits. A full chimney inspection in Pittsburgh typically runs $150-$450 depending on scope and whether it’s a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 look. The written estimate is always the final word.
What We Look At
We go from the firebox up through the flue, then outside to the crown, cap, and flashing. Every part gets checked against what it’s supposed to look like, not against a generic checklist.
What You Get Back
You get a written report with photos of anything we found, and a plain explanation of what needs work now versus what can wait. If it’s safe to hold off, we say so.
Chimney Flue Inspection
Chimney Flue Inspection is the targeted look inside the flue itself, the vertical passage that has to carry smoke and carbon monoxide safely out of your house. You need it when you’re seeing draft problems, when the fire won’t draw, when you smell creosote between fires, or whenever you switch fuels or appliances vented into the same flue. In Pittsburgh’s older housing stock, plenty of flues were sized for coal and later adapted to wood stoves or gas appliances, which is exactly the situation where a flue inspection pays off. We run a camera down the flue to check for cracked tiles, gaps at the joints, and offset sections that trap creosote. A focused flue inspection in Pittsburgh typically runs $125-$350 depending on flue length and how much camera work is needed. The estimate you get in writing is what you pay, and there’s no charge for the estimate.
Tile Cracks and Joint Gaps
Hairline cracks in flue tile let heat and gases reach the masonry around them, which is where trouble starts. We photograph every gap we find so you can see it too.
Draft and Sizing Problems
A flue that’s too large or too small for the appliance won’t draw properly, and that shows up as smoke in the room or a lazy fire. We check sizing against what’s vented into it.
Chimney Fire
Chimney Fire is the ignition of creosote that has built up inside the flue, and it’s the reason an inspection matters more than a quick brush-off. You need a professional look any time you’ve heard a roar or a popping sound from the chimney, seen flames or sparks shoot from the top, noticed black smoke or a strong burned smell, or had a neighbor spot it first. Creosote can burn hot enough to crack tiles and warp a liner without anyone in the house noticing. We inspect the entire flue after any suspected fire, check for damage that a surface sweep would miss, and tell you plainly whether the system is safe to use or needs repair before the next fire. A post-fire inspection in Pittsburgh typically runs $200-$450, and if relining is needed we work with DuraFlex flexible liner systems to bring the flue back to a safe condition. Call (844) 761-5636 before you light another fire.
Signs You Might Have Missed
A puffy, honeycombed texture on creosote, discolored stovepipe, or a warped damper are all clues a fire already happened. They’re easy to overlook without a trained eye.
What Happens After
We document the damage, explain what’s safe to use in the meantime, and quote the repair in writing. Nothing gets done until you’ve seen the evidence and approved the work.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
Level 2 Chimney Inspection is the standard inspection for a real estate transaction, an appliance change, or any time the chimney has had a significant event, and it goes further than the basic Level 1 look. It includes a camera scan of the flue, a look at accessible portions of the attic and crawlspace where the chimney passes through, and a check of the exterior stack. You need one whenever a home changes hands in Pittsburgh, when a wood stove or insert is added, or after a chimney fire. We use a video camera on a flexible rod to scan the full flue and document every finding with photos. A Level 2 chimney inspection in Pittsburgh typically runs $250-$500 depending on the number of flues and how much camera work is needed. Free estimate, written scope, no surprises.
What Separates It From Level 1
Level 1 is a visual check of what you can reach from the hearth and the roof. Level 2 adds the camera, the attic and crawlspace look, and a room-by-room report.
When It’s Required
Most real estate contracts and many insurance policies call for a Level 2 when a home sells. Appliance swaps and post-fire situations call for one too.
Chimney Leak
Chimney Leak is water getting into the chimney system through the crown, flashing, cap, or masonry itself, and it’s one of the most common reasons a Pittsburgh chimney ends up needing repair. You need to look at it when you see water stains on the ceiling near the chimney, a musty smell in the attic, loose flashing at the roofline, or masonry that’s spalling and flaking after freeze-thaw cycles. Our wet Pittsburgh winters are hard on masonry: water gets into small cracks, freezes, expands, and widens the damage year after year. We trace the leak back to its source, check the crown and flashing, and use Famco and Copperfield caps and flashing components to close the gap where water is getting in. A leak inspection in Pittsburgh typically runs $150-$400, and any repair is quoted separately in writing. We won’t recommend work you don’t need.
Freeze-Thaw Damage
Water in small cracks freezes and pushes the masonry apart, then thaws and lets more water in. That cycle is what turns a minor crack into a real repair.
Chasing It to the Source
Water doesn’t always come in where the stain is. We trace it back through the crown, flashing, and cap before recommending any fix.
Chimney Camera Inspection
Chimney Camera Inspection is a video scan of the inside of the flue using a camera on a flexible rod, and it’s the most reliable way to see what a brush can’t reach. You need one whenever a Level 2 or Level 3 is called for, when there’s a suspected liner issue, or when you want a second opinion on a repair someone else quoted. The camera shows cracked tiles, gaps at the joints, missing mortar, and any debris or animal nests sitting in the flue. We record the scan and share the footage with you, so nothing in our report is a claim you can’t verify. A camera inspection in Pittsburgh typically runs $150-$350 depending on flue length and access. It’s the tool we trust most, and it’s how we keep our recommendations grounded in evidence rather than guesswork.
What the Camera Shows
Hairline cracks, gaps at tile joints, offset sections, and creosote glazing all show up on camera. So do foreign objects that a brush would just push around.
Why You Should See It Too
You shouldn’t have to take our word for a repair. We share the scan so you can see exactly what we’re seeing before you approve anything.
Brands We Service
We work with a curated set of professional-grade trade brands that certified chimney contractors specify for real repairs, not the consumer-grade pieces you’d find at a big-box store. DuraFlex flexible liner systems are what we turn to for structural relining jobs where the original flue can’t be saved, and knowing the DuraFlex line means we can size a liner correctly for your appliance and your flue’s actual dimensions. HeatShield ceramic resurfacing lets us restore deteriorating mortar joints and small liner defects without a full liner replacement, which is often the difference between a modest repair and a much larger project.
Famco and Copperfield supply the caps and flashing components that keep water out of your chimney between service visits, and we size them to fit the actual stack, not a one-size cap that leaves gaps at the edges. Olympia Chimney and Gelco round out the parts and accessory knowledge we bring to every job, whether it’s a simple cap replacement or a full reline. Whether you have DuraFlex, HeatShield, or any other make on your system, we can help.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- Smoke backing into the room. A fire that puffs smoke into the living room is usually dealing with a blocked flue, a sizing problem, or a smoke chamber issue. It’s a sign the system isn’t venting the way it should, and it needs a look before the next fire.
- Strong creosote smell between fires. A sharp, oily smell in the house between burns usually means creosote has built up in the flue. That buildup is what feeds a chimney fire, so it’s worth checking before the season starts.
- Water stains on the ceiling or chimney breast. Stains that appear after rain point to a leak at the crown, flashing, or cap. Left alone, water works into the masonry and turns a small fix into a bigger repair.
- Visible cracks or crumbling mortar on the exterior stack. Spalling brick and loose mortar let water in and can weaken the stack. Freeze-thaw cycles in Pittsburgh make this worse each winter, so it’s worth catching early.
- A roaring or popping sound from the chimney. That sound can mean a chimney fire has already happened, even if it went unnoticed. Any suspected fire calls for a professional inspection before the system is used again.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Book the visit and tell us what you’re seeing. We ask what’s going on so we bring the right tools and know where to focus. Call (844) 761-5636. We answer 24/7, and dispatch runs 7am to 7pm Sunday through Friday.
- 2
Sweep the flue so the camera can see. A proper sweep clears creosote and soot so the inspection shows the actual condition of the flue walls. It’s part of the job, not an add-on.
- 3
Run a camera down the flue. We scan the full length of the flue and record what we find, including cracks, gaps, and anything lodged inside. You see the same footage we do.
- 4
Inspect the firebox, crown, cap, and flashing. We check the whole system from hearth to rooftop, and note anything that’s letting water or heat where it shouldn’t.
- 5
Walk you through the findings and leave a written report. We explain what we found, what needs work now, and what can safely wait. Any repair is quoted in writing, and nothing happens until you approve it.
How Much Does Chimney Inspection Cost in Pittsburgh?
A typical fireplace inspection in Pittsburgh runs $99-$250 depending on how much of the system is accessible and whether a camera is needed. A full chimney inspection with camera work across multiple flues and a look at the attic and crawlspace typically runs $150-$500, with a Level 2 real-estate inspection landing at the higher end of that range. A post-fire or suspected-fire inspection runs $200-$450, and a leak inspection runs $150-$400. Those ranges reflect what the visit covers, not what we find.
What affects the price is scope: how many flues there are, whether the flue is accessible or blocked, whether the fireplace is a wood burner, gas insert, or stove, and how much camera time the job needs. A single-flue chimney with easy access lands at the lower end; one with an offset flue, a warped damper, or several appliances venting into the same stack lands higher.
To avoid overpaying, ask for the scope in writing before the visit and ask what happens if the camera finds something unexpected. A good inspection includes a written report, photos of anything found, and a clear line between work that’s needed now and work that can wait. With us, that all comes with a free estimate: the written quote sets the price before any repair starts, so there’s no surprise on the invoice. If you’re comparing quotes, ask whether the camera scan is included, because a price without it is for a different job. Call (844) 761-5636 for an exact quote – estimates are free.
Our Service Area Near Pittsburgh
We inspect chimneys across Pittsburgh and the surrounding neighborhoods, including Mount Oliver, Millvale, Etna, Homestead, Green Tree, Sharpsburg, Ingram, Edgewood, Aspinwall, Avalon, and North Braddock. For the cities immediately adjacent, we can usually reach you the same day when you call early. Learn more about Pittsburgh and how we work in each area, or check our pages for Mount Oliver and Millvale if you’re nearby.
Serving Pittsburgh, PA – Our Local Coverage Area
We serve Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
A chimney inspection is a professional look at the whole chimney system – firebox, flue, crown, cap, and flashing – to confirm it’s safe to use and to catch problems early. It goes beyond a sweep, because it checks the condition of the parts a brush can’t evaluate. Call (844) 761-5636 to book one and get a free estimate.
Most inspections take about 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the number of flues and whether camera work is needed. A Level 2 or post-fire inspection runs longer because of the camera scan and the attic and crawlspace check. Call (844) 761-5636 for an exact quote – estimates are free.
A typical chimney inspection in Pittsburgh runs $99-$500 depending on scope, with most residential visits landing in the middle of that range. Camera work, multiple flues, and Level 2 or post-fire inspections push the price higher. Call (844) 761-5636 for an exact quote – estimates are free.
Yes – we work with DuraFlex flexible liner systems for relining and with HeatShield ceramic resurfacing for restoring mortar joints and small liner defects. Those brands are part of the professional-grade set we specify for repairs, not consumer substitutes. Call (844) 761-5636 if you want a second opinion on a liner repair someone else quoted.
Same-day inspections are often possible when you call early in the day. We answer 24/7, and fast dispatch runs from 7am to 7pm Sunday through Friday, closed Saturday. Call (844) 761-5636 to book.
We don’t publish a warranty figure without confirming it with you first, so we’ll state the exact terms in the written estimate for your job. What we stand behind is the inspection itself: every recommendation traces back to photos you can see. Call (844) 761-5636 to talk through the scope.
Clear the hearth area, make sure we can reach the fireplace and the roof access, and don’t light a fire the day of the visit. If you have prior inspection reports or repair quotes, have them ready – they help us spot what’s already been looked at. Call (844) 761-5636 if you’re not sure what to do to get ready.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Service in Pittsburgh Today
If it’s been more than a year since anyone looked at your chimney, or you’ve had smoke, water, or a suspected fire since the last visit, now is the time to book. Start with an inspection – then you know exactly what you’re dealing with. Call (844) 761-5636 for a free, no-obligation estimate. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday.
Written by the team at Pittsburgh Chimney Cleaning.