Chimney questions, answered

Buyers and their home inspectors in the Charlotte market increasingly ask for a Level 2 chimney inspection as part of due diligence, and general home inspectors usually recommend one rather than perform it. A Level 2 includes the camera scan and a written report with photos, which both parties can read before closing. Sellers often arrange it before listing so any repairs are handled on their own schedule.

Brick and mortar absorb moisture from the air, and the long humid stretch from May through September keeps masonry damp far longer than a dry climate would. That moisture feeds efflorescence on the exterior, softens lime mortar in older joints, and rusts cast-iron dampers and steel chase covers. It also means creosote inside the flue stays tacky and bonds to the tile, which is why we check for buildup on every visit.

Usually, but the answer depends on what the camera finds. A vented gas-log set still needs a sound flue and a damper that stays open, while a vent-free set has its own clearance and room-size requirements. We inspect the flue and firebox first, then recommend a unit, correct the venting, confirm clearances, and test the system before it is turned over to you. Older brick homes often need a liner as part of the conversion.

Yes. Factory-built fireplaces are common in homes built around Charlotte, Concord, and Monroe since the 1990s, and they age differently from masonry. The refractory panels crack, the chase cover rusts through, and the metal flue sections can separate at the joints. We inspect the unit with the same camera process, replace panels and chase covers, and let you know if a unit has reached the point where replacement makes more sense than repair.

A yearly inspection is the baseline whether you burn or not, and the camera tells us whether a sweep is needed. Households that burn most weekends through the winter usually need one cleaning a year. Those burning unseasoned wood, or running a fire every day, may need a mid-season sweep as well. Gas-log fireplaces need less cleaning but still require the annual inspection for venting and clearance.

The report is emailed after the appointment and contains timestamped photos from the camera pass, images of the crown, cap, flashing, and firebox, a plain-language description of what we found, and written pricing for any repair we recommend. Nothing in it is a surprise, because the technician walks you through the same images on site before leaving. Reports are kept on file at the location for future comparison.

Each location is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Sunday. Inspections, sweeps, and repairs are appointments arranged by calling the location closest to you or by using the contact form on this site. The location confirms a date and an arrival window with you before the visit.

Summer thunderstorms and the occasional ice event bring limbs down on chimneys across the Piedmont, and insurers want evidence of the damage and its cause. Our report includes dated photos of the impact, the affected brick or chase cover, and the camera view of the flue below it, along with a written repair quote. That package supports claims for sudden damage, though wear-and-tear items are typically excluded by most policies.

Draft problems in Piedmont homes often trace back to a tight, well-sealed house pulling air down the flue, a flue that is too small for the firebox opening, or a damper that is not fully open. Creosote and animal nesting can also restrict the passage. The camera inspection shows which of these applies, and the fix ranges from a damper adjustment to a properly sized liner.

Pieces of clay tile in the firebox, a persistent smoky smell after the fire is out, or camera footage showing cracks, gaps, or missing sections all point to a liner that is no longer containing heat and gases. Many pre-1950s homes in Gastonia, Salisbury, and Statesville were built with clay tile that has aged past its useful life. We show you the footage and explain the repair options before you decide.

HearthGuard Chimney is licensed and insured at every location, and the technicians are CSIA-trained. Each one carries the same camera and reporting tools, so the inspection you receive at the Hickory location follows the same process as the one performed in Charlotte. Every repair is backed by a workmanship warranty described in the written quote.

Yes. Repairs and installations carry a workmanship warranty, and the written quote you approve before work begins states what is covered and for how long. Because the camera documents the condition before and after, there is a clear record of what was done should a question come up later.

There are no repair costs until you have seen the problem on camera and approved a written quote. The inspection or sweep is quoted when you call the location, and any additional work is priced in the report, which you can go over before deciding. Major credit and debit cards and other standard payment methods are accepted at every location.