Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Trusted Chimney Inspection for Houston Homeowners
A chimney inspection in Houston typically costs between $150 and $400 depending on the level of inspection and the condition of the flue. Most inspections take 45 to 90 minutes and end with a written report showing you exactly what the tech found. Flint Chimney Co Houston has provided our Chimney Inspection in Houston since 2002, under the ownership of Hank Delano, and every job comes with a written price before any work begins. Call (325) 750-6259 to schedule yours.
Houston’s humidity, heavy Gulf rains, and occasional freeze cycles work on brick and mortar in ways homeowners rarely notice until something fails. We approach every inspection the same way: document the condition, show you the evidence, and recommend only what the chimney actually needs. No scare pricing, no upsell. That’s The Garrison Standard, and we’ve stuck to it for over two decades.
If you’ve never had your chimney looked at, or it’s been more than a year, the inspection is the first step. From our home base in Houston, we dispatch background-checked, uniformed technicians on every call. You’ll know exactly who’s walking through your door.
Fireplace Inspection
Fireplace Inspection is a close-up evaluation of the firebox, damper, hearth, and visible portions of the flue to confirm the fireplace can burn safely. Homeowners in Houston should have one every year if they burn wood regularly, and before the first fire after a long off-season. Flint Chimney Co Houston performs this as part of a Chimney Inspection in Humble and across Houston, and the cost typically falls between $150 and $250 depending on access and the fireplace’s condition.
Firebox and Damper Check
We inspect the firebox brick or refractory panels for cracks, spalling, or gaps that could let heat reach framing. The damper gets opened, closed, and checked for rust or warping. A damper that won’t seal costs you cooled air all summer.
Burn-Season Readiness
The weeks before Thanksgiving are the busiest for fireplace inspections in Houston. Getting on the schedule by early October means you’re not waiting during the first cold snap. Most fireplace inspections take under an hour.
Styles & brands we work with
Chimney Inspection Services
Chimney Inspection Services cover three levels defined by the National Fire Protection Association: Level 1 for routine annual checks, Level 2 for real estate transactions or changes to the system, and Level 3 when hidden damage is suspected. Flint Chimney Co Houston offers all three, with written documentation at each level so you never pay for a repair you haven’t seen with your own eyes. A Level 1 inspection in Houston generally runs $150 to $250, while a Level 2 with camera work runs $250 to $400.
Documented Findings Only
Every inspection ends with a written report describing what we found, where it is, and what it means. If a repair is recommended, the reasoning is documented. You keep the report whether or not you hire us for the work.
Real Estate and Pre-Purchase
Home sales in Houston frequently require a Level 2 chimney inspection before closing. We work with buyers, sellers, and agents to get inspections scheduled within the closing window. The written report is accepted by lenders and insurance carriers alike.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Chimney Flue Inspection
Chimney Flue Inspection is the evaluation of the inner passage that carries smoke and combustion gases from the firebox to the outside. This is where creosote builds up, where liners crack, and where gaps between flue tiles let heat reach the house structure. Flint Chimney Co Houston uses a chimney camera to see every foot of the flue, and a flue inspection in Houston is included within our Level 1 and Level 2 inspection pricing of $150 to $400.
Creosote and Obstruction Check
We look for creosote buildup in all three stages, from flaky to glazed, and for obstructions like bird nests, leaves, and fallen brick. A blocked flue is one of the most common causes of chimney fires. The camera shows us exactly how much clearance remains.
Liner Condition Assessment
Clay tile liners crack under Houston’s heat-and-humidity cycles. When the camera finds a breach, you’ll see it on the screen. From there, we discuss relining options with products like DuraFlex or HeatShield, and the recommendation is written down before you decide anything.
Chimney Fire
Chimney Fire is what happens when creosote or debris inside the flue ignites, and it can burn at temperatures that crack clay liners and warp metal. The signs include a loud roaring sound, dense smoke, or flames shooting from the chimney top. Flint Chimney Co Houston performs post-fire inspections in Houston to document the damage and determine what’s safe, with the inspection cost running from $250 to $400 for a Level 2 evaluation that captures the full extent of what burned.
After the Fire
Even a small chimney fire can compromise the flue. Hairline cracks in clay tiles are invisible from the outside and create a pathway for the next fire to reach wood framing. We inspect the full flue length with a camera after any fire event, no matter how brief it seemed.
Prevention Before the Season
Creosote ignition is almost always preventable with regular sweeping. Houston’s high humidity can make creosote stickier and faster to accumulate. An annual sweep and inspection keeps the buildup below the threshold where a chimney fire becomes likely.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
Level 2 Chimney Inspection is a more comprehensive evaluation that includes everything in a Level 1 check plus video scanning of the entire flue, the attic, and accessible portions of the exterior chimney. You need one when you’re buying or selling a home, after a chimney fire, after an earthquake or severe weather event, or when changing fuel types. In Houston, Level 2 inspections from Flint Chimney Co Houston run $250 to $400 and include a full written report with images from the camera scan.
When It’s Required
Most Houston home inspectors flag chimneys for a Level 2 inspection before closing. Insurance companies may also request one after a claim or when switching from wood to gas. We schedule these quickly and deliver the report same day.
Camera Evidence Included
Every Level 2 inspection includes a recorded camera pass through the flue. You see what we see, in real time, and the images are documented in the report. That’s the difference between being told you need work and seeing for yourself why you need it.
Chimney Leak
Chimney Leak refers to water entering the chimney system and showing up as stains on the ceiling, damp drywall around the fireplace, or efflorescence on exterior brick. Houston’s heavy spring and fall rains make leak diagnosis a regular part of our inspection work. Flint Chimney Co Houston traces leaks to their source with a visual and camera inspection, and the diagnostic inspection typically costs $150 to $300 depending on chimney height and access.
Common Entry Points
Most chimney leaks in Houston come through a failed chimney cap, cracked crown, or deteriorated flashing where the chimney meets the roofline. We check each of these systematically and show you where water is getting in. The fix is then quoted in writing before any repair starts.
Mold and Moisture Damage
Water in a chimney doesn’t just stain drywall. It accelerates mortar decay, rusts dampers, and can create conditions for mold inside wall cavities. A leak inspection early in the wet season often catches problems before they require major masonry work.
Chimney Camera Inspection
Chimney Camera Inspection uses a waterproof, high-resolution camera fed up the flue to record video and still images of the entire inner chimney. It’s the only way to see cracked tiles, hidden creosote, or gaps between flue sections without dismantling the chimney. Flint Chimney Co Houston includes camera inspection in all Level 2 inspections in Houston, which run $250 to $400, and uses it as a diagnostic tool whenever a Level 1 check raises a question.
No Guesswork, Ever
The camera eliminates the “trust me” moment from chimney work. If a technician recommends a repair, you’ll see the problem on the screen before they hand you a quote. We don’t ask Houston homeowners to spend money on what they can’t verify.
Scheduling a Camera Scan
Camera inspections run 45 to 90 minutes. The camera records the entire pass, and you get still images with the written report. For home sales, the video file can be shared with an inspector or agent.
Brands We Service
We work with DuraFlex liners regularly in Houston installations and inspections. DuraFlex’s stainless steel flex liners are common in older Houston homes where the original clay tile has failed, and we inspect these systems for proper fit, connection, and insulation. We know the product line well enough to spot installation errors from other companies and document them.
HeatShield and Olympia Chimney products also come through our inspection schedule often. HeatShield’s cerfractory flue sealant is a relining option we evaluate when a clay liner has cracked but the chimney structure is still sound. Olympia Chimney caps and dampers show up in many Houston homes, and we check them for rust, warping, and wildlife entry. Whether you have one of these brands or any other make, we can inspect it and tell you plainly what condition it’s in.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- White staining on exterior brick. Efflorescence means water is moving through the masonry, and in Houston’s climate that decay accelerates through the humid months. Left unchecked, the mortar joints fail and the chimney starts shifting.
- You hear or smell animals in the flue. Houston is full of squirrels, raccoons, and chimney swifts. A nest blocks airflow and can push carbon monoxide back into the house. We’ll remove the obstruction and get the flue working.
- The damper won’t fully close or open. A rusted or warped damper means the fireplace is never truly sealed. You feel it in your energy bill all summer. Damper replacement is a straightforward repair once we document the problem.
- You see cracked or crumbling mortar. Spalling brick and missing mortar joints are structural issues, not cosmetic ones. The longer they go, the more expensive the masonry repair becomes.
- Smoke enters the room during a fire. That’s a draft or obstruction problem, and it’s a carbon monoxide risk. Stop using the fireplace and schedule an inspection before the next burn.
Our Process, Step by Step
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Book the appointment. Call (325) 750-6259 and a live person answers, any hour of the day. You’ll get a confirmed arrival window, and the tech shows up inside that window in a marked vehicle and uniform.
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Initial walkthrough. The tech asks about your burn habits, any recent fires, leaks, or odd smells. We’ll note the fireplace type, fuel, and any prior work you know about. This context matters for what we look for.
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The inspection itself. Depending on the level booked, we work through the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, flue, crown, cap, and flashing. Level 2 inspections include a full camera scan with real-time viewing.
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Written findings and pricing. Before any tool comes off the truck for repair work, you get a written report and a written price. That’s the Garrison Code: no verbal estimates, no adjusted numbers at the invoice. The price you approve is the price you pay.
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Repair or maintenance scheduling. If work is needed, we schedule it when it’s convenient for you. If the chimney is clean and sound, you’ll know that too. Either way, you leave the appointment informed, not pressured.
How Much Does Chimney Inspection Cost in Houston?
A standard Chimney Inspection in Deer Park and Houston runs $150 to $250 for most homes. Level 2 inspections with a full camera scan run $250 to $400. If we’re diagnosing a specific problem like a leak or post-fire damage, the inspection falls into that Level 2 range because it requires the camera and additional documentation.
What affects the price: chimney height and roof pitch (taller and steeper means more setup time), the condition of the chimney (heavily creosoted flues take longer to evaluate), and whether you need the report formatted for a real estate transaction or insurance claim. A two-story home in Cinco Ranch with a steep roofline will land on the higher end of the range, while a single-story ranch in Channelview with our Chimney Inspection in Channelview typically sits at the lower end.
The way to avoid overpaying is to get a written price before the inspection starts. We give you that number on every call. No surprise fees, no fuel surcharge, no “we found something” markup. The free estimate covers the inspection pricing, and if repairs are indicated afterward, those get their own written quote with the evidence attached.
Our Service Area Near Houston
Flint Chimney Co Houston runs inspections throughout the Houston metro, including Chimney Inspection in Humble and Chimney Inspection in Sugar Land, plus Baytown, Channelview, Deer Park, Cloverleaf, Cinco Ranch, Pecan Grove, Seabrook, Tomball, and Jersey Village. Most inspections are scheduled within three to five business days, and real estate inspections get priority when a closing date is on the calendar.
Serving Houston, TX - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Houston area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Inspection in Houston
A chimney inspection is a documented evaluation of the fireplace, flue, and exterior chimney structure to confirm the system is safe to use. It checks for creosote buildup, cracks, blockages, and water damage. Flint Chimney Co Houston performs inspections to NFPA standards and provides a written report with every visit.
Most inspections take 45 to 90 minutes depending on the level and the chimney’s condition. A Level 2 with a full camera scan runs closer to 90 minutes. We’ll give you a tighter window when you book based on what you need.
A Level 1 inspection in Houston is $150 to $250. A Level 2 with camera is $250 to $400. If the inspection reveals repair needs, those are quoted separately in writing. Call (325) 750-6259 for an exact quote – estimates are free.
Yes. We inspect and evaluate both HeatShield and DuraFlex installations in Houston homes. If the system was installed incorrectly or has degraded, we’ll document it and quote the fix in writing. Call (325) 750-6259 to schedule an evaluation.
If you’ve had a chimney fire or a sudden leak, we prioritize those calls and get a technician out as fast as the schedule allows. Our phones are answered by a live person 24/7, so you can reach someone at 2 a.m. if you need to. The inspection itself is scheduled for the next available window.
Every repair Flint Chimney Co Houston makes is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise. If a covered repair fails within one year, we return at no charge and make it right. The guarantee is written, not verbal.
Clear the area around the fireplace so the tech has about six feet of working space. Move anything fragile off the mantel. If you have pets, secure them before the appointment. We handle everything else, including protecting the floors with drop cloths where needed.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Service in Houston Today
Get a written price before any work begins. Call (325) 750-6259 and a live person will answer, day or night. You’ll get a confirmed window, a background-checked technician in uniform, and a documented report when the inspection is done. No surprises, no pressure, no invoice that doesn’t match the approved quote. If it’s not done right, we return at no charge for a full year. That’s The Garrison Standard.
Written by Hank Delano, Owner at Flint Chimney Co Houston, serving Houston since 2002.