Chimney Fire Damage Inspection

If a fire is happening now

Why you need an inspection after the fire

Firefighters put the fire out. Cleaning and evaluating the chimney afterward is a separate job. A chimney fire can burn very hot inside the flue, and that heat can crack clay tiles, break down mortar joints and warp or separate metal liners and factory-built chimney sections. Much of this damage cannot be seen from the fireplace or the roof.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America advises not using the chimney until it has been inspected. NFPA 211, as summarized by CSIA, calls for a Level 2 inspection after a chimney fire or other operational malfunction.

The cause of the fire matters for what happens next. Most chimney fires are fueled by creosote that built up in the flue. A fire can also start from a blocked flue, a nest or a damaged liner that let heat reach surrounding materials. Part of the inspection is understanding why it happened so the repair addresses the cause as well as the damage.

Fires that nobody noticed

Not every chimney fire is dramatic. Some burn slowly and quietly and are found later. Clues include puffy, honeycombed creosote, flakes of creosote on the roof or ground, cracked flue tiles, a warped damper or cap, discolored metal, or a cracked chimney exterior. The guide signs you've had a chimney fire walks through them.

How we assess it

1. Document firstBefore anything is swept, we photograph the creosote and any visible damage. That record matters if you file an insurance claim.
2. Check outside and around the chimneyWe look at the exterior, crown and cap, and check the attic and roof areas next to the chimney when it is safe and accessible.
3. Clean the flueSweeping removes the remaining deposits so the flue walls can be seen.
4. Camera inspectionWhen the flue allows, a chimney camera shows cracked or displaced tiles, open mortar joints, and on metal systems, separated joints, warping or open seams.
5. Findings with photosYou receive our findings with photos before any repair is scheduled.

What we commonly look for

Damage is not always confined to the flue. Intense heat can crack the crown or exterior brick, damage the cap and loosen the flashing. Heat can also travel through gaps in a damaged flue toward framing next to the chimney. That is why we check the attic and roof areas near the chimney when they are safe and accessible, in addition to the flue itself.

What happens after the inspection

Depending on what the camera shows, the options range from repairing the existing flue to relining it. Resurfacing systems can restore some damaged clay flues. Others need a new liner. See flue repair for the choices. Factory-built chimneys that were damaged may need parts replaced according to the manufacturer's listing, or a different solution if parts are no longer available.

The cause matters too. Most chimney fires start with creosote. Burning dry, seasoned wood and regular sweeping reduce the chance of another one. Read creosote explained for more.

Until the repair is done, the fireplace or stove connected to that flue stays out of use. If another appliance, such as a furnace, shares the chimney but has its own flue, we check that flue as well and tell you whether it can keep running.

Photos and insurance

Whether a chimney fire is covered depends on your policy and your insurer. We cannot tell you what your insurer will decide, but our photos and findings give you a clear record of what we saw. Our guide on chimney damage and homeowner's insurance has more general background.

Factory-built chimneys after a fire

Factory-built fireplaces and their metal chimneys are tested as a complete system and listed for specific conditions. A chimney fire can push the pipe sections far beyond those conditions. Warping, separated joints or a damaged inner liner can reduce the protection between the hot flue and the framing around it.

On these systems, repair means replacing damaged sections with parts listed for that model. If the manufacturer no longer makes parts, or the damage is extensive, replacing the fireplace and chimney system may be the only correct option. A metal chimney inside a wood chase is also checked from the attic when safe and accessible, since heat damage to the framing around it can be hidden from the room.

Next step

Keep the fireplace or stove out of use, then request an inspection. Mention that you suspect a chimney fire when you submit the request. A team member will contact you to confirm a time.

Before the visit, avoid sweeping or cleaning the fireplace yourself. Leave the creosote and debris where they are so they can be photographed. If the fire department left a report or notes, keep them handy.

Questions homeowners ask

Sources

1. CSIA: Chimney Fire: During and After
2. CSIA: The Three Levels of Chimney Inspections