A chimney and fireplace inspection report for home inspectors and sweeps: the appliance and fuel, the stack above the roof (crown, cap, flashing, masonry, height), the firebox and hearth, damper and smoke chamber, the flue liner as far as it can be seen, gas and stove details, clearances to anything that burns, smoke and CO alarms, what could not be inspected and why, and recommendations. It says plainly in the report when the flue was not video-scanned.
Inspection Details
Whose house, which chimney, and how far this inspection went.
Report title
Client
Property address
Date of inspection
Time
Inspector
Company
License or certification number
Who else was there
Why was the inspection ordered? — Home purchase, Annual check, Before first use in a new home, After a chimney fire, After a storm, earthquake or lightning strike, Change of appliance or fuel, Insurance request, Other
Weather — Dry, Raining or just after rain, Snow or ice on the roof, Strong wind, Hot
This report covers what could be seen from accessible places without dismantling anything. Hidden parts of the flue and the framing around the chimney can only be judged with a camera scan or by opening walls.
Was the flue scanned with a camera? — Yes — the flue was scanned with a camera along its length, Partly — the camera could not get the whole way, No — a Level 2 video inspection of the flue was not done
How far did the camera get, and what stopped it?
Appliance and Fuel
What burns here, and where it sits in the house.
Type of appliance — Masonry wood-burning fireplace, Factory-built (prefab) wood-burning fireplace, Wood-burning insert in a fireplace, Freestanding wood stove, Pellet stove, Coal stove, Gas logs in a wood-burning fireplace, Gas insert in a fireplace, Direct-vent gas fireplace (sealed glass front), Vent-free (ventless) gas fireplace or logs, Other
Fuel — Wood, Natural gas, Propane, Wood pellets, Coal, Could not determine
Room and floor
Is the manufacturer's label or listing plate visible? — Yes, No, Not applicable — site-built masonry
Make and model, if shown
Was the appliance in use or still warm when you arrived?
Is there an outside combustion-air inlet for the firebox?
Photographs — appliance and label
Chimney Exterior
The stack from the roofline up: height, crown, cap, flashing and masonry.
Where did you see the chimney from? — Walked the roof, Ladder at the eaves, From the ground with binoculars, Drone images, The top could not be seen
Chimney construction — Brick, Stone, Concrete block with a veneer or stucco, Factory-built metal chimney inside a framed chase, Exposed metal chimney pipe, Other
Does the chimney rise far enough above the roof and nearby structures? — Appears adequate, Appears too short, Could not judge
Crown (the concrete or mortar cap over the masonry)
Rain cap and spark screen — Present and intact, Present but loose or damaged, Missing, Not applicable — listed termination on a metal chimney
Brick or stone and the mortar joints
What you saw on the stack — Spalled or flaking brick or stone, Mortar joints eroded or open, White mineral deposits (efflorescence), Cracks through the masonry, Loose or missing units near the top, Corbeling or stepped-out brick that looks unstable, Rust on metal parts, Plants or moss growing on it, None seen
Is the chimney upright and tight to the house? — Yes, Leaning or pulling away from the wall, Could not judge
Flashing where the chimney meets the roof
Cricket (small roof ridge) on the uphill side — Present, Missing — chimney is wide enough to need one, Not needed, Could not see
Where a roof edge runs into the chimney side, is there a kick-out flashing steering water into the gutter? — Yes, Missing, No such roof edge here, Could not see
Chase cover (the metal top of the framed chase)
Siding and trim on the chase
Notes on the chimney exterior
Photographs — chimney exterior
Fireplace, Firebox and Hearth
The opening in the room: the firebox walls, the lintel, the hearth and the face.
Firebox walls and floor
What you saw in the firebox — Cracked or loose firebrick, Mortar missing between firebricks, Cracked refractory panels, Opening through to the framing or wall behind, Rust or burn-through in a metal firebox, Heavy soot or creosote, Ash or debris not cleared, None seen
Lintel over the opening
Hearth and the floor in front of it
Does the non-combustible hearth extension reach far enough in front and to the sides? — Appears adequate, Appears short, Missing, Not applicable — appliance is listed for this floor
Glass doors or mesh screen — Present and working, Glass cracked or doors damaged, No doors or screen
Smoke staining on the face above the opening? — None, Yes — suggests the fireplace smokes into the room
Ash dump and the cleanout door below — Present and closes, Door damaged, missing or will not close, None, Not checked
Notes on the fireplace
Photographs — firebox and hearth
Damper and Smoke Chamber
What closes the flue, and the space above the firebox, seen with a light.
Type of damper — Throat damper above the firebox, Top-sealing damper at the chimney top, Both, None
Does the damper open and close fully? — Yes, Stiff or only partly, Will not move, Could not test, No damper
With gas logs fitted, is the damper fixed so it cannot shut completely? — Yes, No, Could not tell
Smoke shelf and smoke chamber, as far as visible
Deposits on the walls you could see — Light dry soot — normal, Crusty or flaky creosote, Glazed, tar-like creosote, Could not see
Notes on the damper and smoke chamber
Photographs — damper and smoke chamber
Flue and Liner
The passage for smoke and gases — as much of it as could be seen.
Look down from the top and up from the damper with a strong light. Record only what you saw; the rest belongs under limitations unless the flue was scanned.
How many flues are in this chimney?
Liner type — Clay tile, Stainless steel, Aluminum (gas only), Poured or cast-in-place, Factory-built metal flue, No liner seen — bare masonry, Could not see
Condition of the liner you could see
What you saw in the flue — Cracked or broken tiles, Gaps or offsets at tile joints, Mortar missing at joints, Liner sections shifted, Deposits narrowing the flue, Nest, debris or blockage, Corroded metal liner, None seen in the visible part
Do two appliances vent into the same flue? — No, Yes, Could not determine
Flue inside size
Fireplace opening, width x height
Does the flue look big enough for the opening it serves? — Appears proportionate, Appears undersized, Not judged
Notes on the flue
Photographs — flue and liner
Gas Appliance
Shutoff, burner, flame and venting — operated with normal controls only.
Use the normal on/off control or remote only. Do not light a pilot that is out or turn on a gas valve that is off — note it and recommend a gas fitter.
Is there a gas shutoff valve you can reach in the same room? — Yes, No, Could not find
Did the burner light and run with its normal control? — Yes, No, Not operated — pilot out or gas off
Did the flame look steady — not lifting, roaring or leaving soot? — Yes, No, Not seen
Is the sealed glass front intact and fully latched? — Yes, No
Is the outside vent cap clear of windows, doors, decks and walkways? — Yes, No, Could not see
Is an oxygen depletion sensor visible on the burner? — Yes, No, Could not see
Notes on the gas appliance
Photographs — gas appliance
Stove or Insert and Its Connection
How a stove or insert joins the chimney, and what is under it.
Body of the stove or insert — doors, gaskets, glass, baffle
Connector pipe from the stove to the chimney
What you saw on the connector — Joints loose or separating, Rust, holes or burn-through, Runs downhill toward the chimney, No screws at the joints, Too many bends, None seen
Where the pipe goes through a wall or ceiling, is there a listed pass-through or thimble? — Yes, No, Pipe does not pass through a wall or ceiling, Could not see
Is there non-combustible floor protection under the stove and in front of its door? — Yes, No, Stove is on a masonry hearth
How does the insert vent? — Liner runs from the insert to the top of the chimney, Short pipe into the damper area only, Vents into the smoke chamber with no connection, Could not see
Notes on the stove or insert
Photographs — stove, connector and floor protection
Clearances to Combustibles
How close wood, trim, framing and belongings sit to the heat.
Mantel, trim and wood paneling around the opening — far enough away? — Appears adequate, Too close, Not applicable
Stove and pipe — clear of walls, ceiling and furniture by the label distances? — Yes, Too close, No label to check against
Where the chimney passes floors, attic or chase, is wood framing kept off it? — Appears adequate, Framing touching the chimney, Could not see
Any scorching, charring or heat damage on nearby wood, floors or walls? — None seen, Yes
Firewood, furniture or other belongings kept close to the heat? — No, Yes
Notes on clearances
Photographs — clearances
Smoke and CO Alarms Nearby
Whether anyone would be warned if this appliance went wrong.
Smoke alarm in the room or just outside it? — Yes, No
Carbon monoxide alarm in the room or near the closest bedrooms? — Yes, No
Did the alarms sound when you pressed the test button? — Yes, One or more did not sound, Not tested
Is a fire extinguisher kept within reach of the appliance? — Yes, No
Notes on alarms
Other Fireplaces and Flues in the House
Anything else that burns, in brief — or a report of its own if it needs one.
Other fireplaces, stoves or flues
Where
Type — Masonry wood-burning fireplace, Factory-built (prefab) wood-burning fireplace, Wood-burning insert in a fireplace, Freestanding wood stove, Pellet stove, Coal stove, Gas logs in a wood-burning fireplace, Gas insert in a fireplace, Direct-vent gas fireplace (sealed glass front), Vent-free (ventless) gas fireplace or logs, Other
Overall condition
Concerns
Photo
Limitations — Not Inspected
What could not be seen today, and why.
Not inspected, or only in part — Flue interior not video-scanned, Chimney top not seen — roof too high, steep, wet or fragile, Roof not walked, Damper would not open, Fire, hot ash or coals in the firebox, Gas off or pilot out — burner not run, Attic, chase or framing around the chimney not reachable, Snow, ice or debris on the roof, Belongings blocking the hearth or stove, Nothing limited this inspection
Anything else not inspected, and why
Summary and Recommendations
Is it safe to light, and what should happen first.
Overall, on the day — Ready for normal use, Usable after cleaning or minor repair, Do not use until repaired and re-inspected, Use not evaluated
Recommend cleaning (sweeping) before the next fire? — Yes, No
Recommend a camera inspection of the whole flue by a chimney specialist? — Yes, No, Already done
Recommendations
What should be done
Where
Who should do it — Chimney sweep, Certified chimney specialist, Mason, Roofer, Licensed gas fitter, Fireplace or stove installer, General contractor, Owner
How soon — Before the next use, Before closing or within weeks, Within the year, Routine maintenance
Photo
Summary for the client
Inspector — signature
Any other photographs
Home Inspection
Chimney Inspection Report
A chimney and fireplace inspection report for home inspectors and sweeps: the appliance and fuel, the stack above the roof (crown, cap, flashing, masonry, height), the firebox and hearth, damper and smoke chamber, the flue liner as far as it can be seen, gas and stove details, clearances to anything that burns, smoke and CO alarms, what could not be inspected and why, and recommendations. It says plainly in the report when the flue was not video-scanned.
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A chimney inspection report records what a fireplace, stove or gas appliance and its chimney looked like on the day: the stack above the roof, the opening in the room, the damper, the flue as far as you could see it, and how close anything that can burn sits to the heat. This template follows that order, changes its questions to suit the appliance — wood, gas, insert or stove — and states plainly whether the flue was scanned with a camera. You can fill it in here and download a finished PDF without creating an account.
What a visual chimney inspection can and cannot tell a buyer
Most of a chimney is out of sight. From the roof you see the crown, the cap, the flashing and the top few feet of the liner; from the room you see the firebox, the damper and, with a strong light, the smoke chamber. Everything in between — the joints of a clay liner thirty feet up, the gap between the chimney and the framing inside a wall — is hidden.
That is why chimney specialists talk about levels of inspection. A visual check of the readily accessible parts is the first. Running a camera up the whole flue is the next, and it is the usual recommendation when a house changes hands or after a chimney fire. If you did not scan the flue, choose the answer that says so: it prints in the report, so nobody reads a clean visual inspection as a clean liner.
Let the appliance decide the questions
A masonry fireplace, a prefab metal fireplace, a wood stove on a hearth pad and a direct-vent gas unit fail in different ways. The form asks what the appliance is first, then shows only what applies. Gas units get the shutoff, the flame, the vent termination and — for gas logs in a wood-burning firebox — whether the damper is held open. Stoves and inserts get the connector pipe, the pass-through and the floor protection. A freestanding stove skips the firebox and damper questions entirely.
The defects worth calling out
A handful of findings explain most chimney fires, leaks and carbon monoxide calls. Each of these is flagged so it lands in the report's summary:
A cracked or missing crown, or no cap — water gets into the masonry and the flue, and the freeze-thaw cycle does the rest.
Flashing that has pulled out of the joints, especially on the uphill side of a wide chimney with no cricket.
A flue with no liner, broken tiles or gaps between them, or two appliances sharing one flue.
Glazed, tar-like creosote — the fuel for a chimney fire.
A hearth extension that is too short, or a mantel and trim too close to the opening.
An insert vented into the smoke chamber instead of up a liner to the top.
No working smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm near the appliance.
Rules of thumb, not code citations
The hints mention common guides — a chimney commonly rises at least three feet above the roof where it exits and two feet above anything within ten feet; a hearth extension commonly reaches 16 inches in front of a small opening. They are there to help you judge what you see. Local code and the appliance maker's listing govern; a home inspector reports conditions, and the specialist confirms compliance.
Common questions
What should a chimney inspection report include?
The type of appliance and fuel, the condition of the chimney outside (crown, cap, flashing, masonry, height), the firebox and hearth, the damper and smoke chamber, the flue liner as far as it was visible, clearances to combustibles, smoke and CO alarms nearby, what could not be inspected and why, and clear recommendations with who should do the work.
Is this a Level 2 chimney inspection?
Only if you scanned the flue with a camera and record it here. The form works for a visual inspection of the accessible parts, and the scope question at the top makes the report say plainly when no video inspection of the flue was done.
Do I need to go on the roof?
No. Record where you saw the chimney from — the roof, a ladder at the eaves, binoculars from the ground or drone images — and if the top could not be seen, list it under limitations. Do not walk a roof that is steep, wet or fragile to complete a form.
Can I use it for a gas fireplace?
Yes. Choose the gas appliance type and the form asks about the shutoff valve, whether the burner lit with its normal controls, the flame, the vent termination for direct-vent units, the oxygen depletion sensor on vent-free units and the damper clamp for gas logs. Lighting pilots is left to a gas fitter.
The house has two fireplaces — do I need two reports?
Not necessarily. Inspect the main chimney in full, then add the others to the short list near the end with their location, type, condition and concerns. If a second chimney has serious problems, a separate report for it reads more clearly.