Chimney Video Inspection: See Inside Your NYC Chimney Before Problems Start

A chimney video inspection is a diagnostic procedure that uses a professional push-camera to examine the full interior of a chimney flue. The camera travels from the firebox to the chimney cap, recording HD video of the liner, mortar joints, and any obstructions. It is the only way to see inside a chimney without opening walls or removing components.

A Level 2 chimney video inspection for a single-flue chimney in NYC typically costs between $200 and $500. Multi-flue chimneys and chimneys with difficult roof access cost more. The price includes camera inspection, real-time review, and a written report with video documentation.

NFPA recommends a Level 1 visual inspection annually and a Level 2 video inspection when buying or selling property, after a chimney fire, storm, or any change to the heating system. If you use a wood-burning fireplace regularly, a video inspection every 2 to 3 years catches hidden problems between annual cleanings.

A camera reveals cracked flue liner tiles, Stage 2 and Stage 3 creosote accumulation, hidden chimney fire damage, deteriorating mortar joints, animal nests deep in the flue, and structural separations between flue sections. A standard visual inspection from the fireplace opening or rooftop can only see the top and bottom few feet — the middle section, where most damage occurs, is invisible without a camera.

Yes. NFPA 211 requires a Level 2 chimney inspection upon property transfer. Standard home inspectors evaluate the property as a whole but cannot assess the flue interior — they do not use cameras and do not enter the chimney. In NYC brownstones and pre-war buildings, hidden chimney damage is common and often becomes the buyer’s problem after closing. A video inspection before signing gives you documented evidence of the chimney’s actual condition — for negotiation, for insurance, and for your own decision.

Level 1 is a basic visual inspection during annual cleaning — no camera needed. Level 2 adds a video camera scan of the entire flue interior and is required during property sales or after incidents. Level 3 is an invasive inspection that may require removing walls or chimney components — only performed when serious hidden structural damage is suspected. These levels are defined by the National Fire Protection Association in NFPA Standard 211.

Yes. Slow-burning chimney fires can occur inside the flue without visible flames, loud sounds, or smoke in the house. They leave specific damage patterns: cracked tiles with a honeycomb appearance, warped metal components, and heat-discolored mortar. Our video camera identifies these signs even if the fire happened years ago. An estimated 22,300 chimney fires occur annually in the United States.

We use a Wöhler VIS professional push-camera system. It features a 1.5-inch HD camera head with 360-degree pan and 180-degree tilt, 100 feet of push-rod cable, built-in LED illumination, an electronic distance counter, and a 7-inch TFT color monitor. Video and still images are recorded to an SD card and provided to the client after inspection.

Summer heat and humidity cause residual creosote and soot inside the flue to release odor. The warm air outside creates a downdraft that pushes the smell into your home through the fireplace opening. A chimney video inspection identifies how much buildup is present. The solution is typically chimney cleaning combined with chimney cap installation to block rain and reduce moisture in the flue.

No. We lay protective drop cloths around the fireplace area before any work begins. The camera is inserted through the fireplace opening — there is no drilling, no cutting, and no dust. A video inspection is completely non-invasive. The entire process takes 30 to 60 minutes for a single-flue chimney.