How to Inspect Your Chimney Yourself (Before Calling a Pro)

What You'll Need

Bright LED flashlight, small mirror on a handle, safety glasses, dust mask (N95), old clothes, drop cloth for the hearth, and a smartphone camera for reference photos.

Never climb onto the roof yourself — leave rooftop inspection to insured professionals with fall protection.

Step-by-Step DIY Inspection

1) Open the damper fully and shine your flashlight up the flue. Look for creosote buildup, cracked tiles, or daylight where there shouldn't be any.

2) Use the mirror at an angle inside the firebox to view the smoke chamber and damper seat. Any glazed black tar-like coating means Stage 3 creosote — stop using the fireplace.

3) Inspect the firebox walls and floor for cracked firebrick, missing mortar, or spalling.

4) Test the damper — it should open and close smoothly with a tight seal.

5) From the ground outside, look at the chimney crown, cap, and flashing with binoculars. Missing caps invite birds, rain, and debris.

Red Flags That Require a Certified Sweep

Any of these findings mean it's time for a professional Level 2 inspection: shiny black glaze inside the flue, cracked or missing flue tiles, spalling brick, water stains around the chimney, animal debris, or smoke backing up into the room.

A Level 2 inspection uses a video scanning camera and is required by NFPA 211 after a chimney fire, before a home sale, or after any weather event that could damage the chimney.