Chimney Pro Solutions
Why You Need a Chimney Inspection Before Buying a Seattle Home
Most Reliable Chimney & Fireplace Services company for Homeowners Throughout King County Since 2011.
What General Home Inspectors Miss
Standard home inspectors are generalists, they examine hundreds of systems and components in 2 to 3 hours. For chimneys, most home inspectors look at the exterior from the ground, shine a flashlight up the firebox, and check that the damper opens. They cannot see flue liner cracks, compromised mortar joints inside the flue, or structural deterioration inside the chimney structure. CSIA-certified chimney inspectors spend 60 to 90 minutes on the chimney alone.
What a Level 2 Pre-Purchase Inspection Includes
- Full video camera scan of the entire flue liner (both interior surfaces visible)
- Examination of all mortar joints inside the flue
- Assessment of flue liner condition (cracks, gaps, collapse)
- Chimney crown and cap examination
- Flashing inspection from rooftop
- Damper operation and condition
- Firebox and smoke chamber condition
- Documentation of any animal nesting or debris
- Written report with video footage and photos
Common Defects Found in Pre-Purchase Inspections
In our experience performing pre-purchase inspections across King County, these are the issues we most commonly find:
- Cracked or missing flue liner sections ($1,500 to $8,000 to repair)
- Chimney fires that were never disclosed by sellers (easily missed without video)
- Animal nesting in the flue (birds, raccoons, squirrels)
- Missing or damaged chimney cap allowing water infiltration
- Deteriorated mortar throughout the flue interior
- Improper liner sizing from a previous appliance conversion
- Failed flashing causing or about to cause water damage
How to Use the Inspection Report
A pre-purchase chimney inspection report gives you negotiating power. If significant defects are found, you can: request the seller complete repairs before closing, negotiate a price reduction equal to the repair cost, request a credit at closing to cover repairs, or decide the property doesn't meet your criteria and walk away informed. Either way, you're making a decision with complete information rather than a surprise six months into homeownership.
We provide written estimates for any defects found during pre-purchase inspections, giving you a documented repair cost to use in negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you complete a pre-purchase inspection?▼
We prioritize real estate inspections and can typically schedule within 24 to 48 hours, with same-day reporting.
What does a pre-purchase chimney inspection cost?▼
Level 2 inspections (required for real estate) cost $250 to $400 in the Seattle area. This is a fraction of what undiscovered chimney defects can cost.
The seller says the chimney was just cleaned, do I still need an inspection?▼
Absolutely. Cleaning removes creosote but doesn't evaluate structural condition. A cleaned chimney can still have cracked liners, deteriorated mortar, or failed flashing.
Ready for a Free Repair Estimate?
Our certified technicians serve all of King County. Call or book online today.
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What Homeowners Are Saying
"Shawn gave an estimate and quickly scheduled the cleaning. He did a great job and answered all our questions about fire safety and chimney maintenance!"
"We had a really bad experience with another contractor who took our money and left us with an unfinished and unsafe chimney. We were nervous about hiring someone else after that, but Chimney Pro Solutions made the whole process completely different. They took the time to explain what was wrong, showed us exactly what needed to be rebuilt, and were very clear about the work from the beginning. Their team rebuilt our chimney professionally, kept us updated throughout the project, and made sure everything was completed properly. After what we went through before, it was a huge relief to finally work with a company that was honest, reliable, and stood behind their work. We’re very happy with the rebuild and would definitely recommend them."
"I had a great experience with Chimney Pro Solutions. They were always responsive and willing to work with our schedule. I had a lot of difficulty with other chimney places getting a response or working with my schedule, but these folks actually care about their work and were always respectful and commutative from David responding to my emails and Sean doing the work and texting with updates. If you need high quality chimney services these are your folks! The photos of the before and after work speak for themselves so go ahead and give them a call!"
"Listen, when I tell you, Sean from Chimney Pro solutions is a good dude, I can’t stress it enough. He came out to assess my fireplace and chimney in March after we were smelling smoke in the house days after having a fire. He found my firebox was looking a little rough and that there was a solid amount of creosote in the chimney. He gave me several options for remediation/repair. Due to family emergency I had to leave town for several months. I wound up having reschedule repair service three times and he couldn’t have been more gracious and understanding. As for the service, he did a beautiful job. I didn’t realize how gross my fireplace was. It looks brand new and is safe to use. Plus he was meticulous about cleaning up after himself. I told him he’ll be our first call when it comes time for roof repair! Call these guys!!"
"We recently had Chimney Pro Solutions repair our chimney in Seattle after noticing cracks and water leaks around the fireplace. Sean explained everything clearly, showed us photos of the damage, and the crew did an amazing job with the repairs. The chimney looks great now and we feel much safer using our fireplace. Highly recommend!"
"Excellent experience replacing our old gas fireplace with a new one! The team was professional, efficient, and did a beautiful job with the installation. Everything works perfectly, and the new fireplace looks amazing. Great communication, clean workmanship, and overall outstanding service. Highly recommend!"
"We had our chimney inspected last Tuesday and it was repaired today, such a fast turnaround from our technician, Yuval. He was knowledgeable, professional, and took the time to clearly explain what needed to be done without any unnecessary upselling. The cost was also very reasonable. We highly recommend Chimney Pro Solution if you need chimney services. After dealing with concerns about our chimney, it was a relief to have everything handled quickly and professionally. We now have real peace of mind."
"Chimney Pro solutions came out to inspect my gas fireplace. They was really thorough and professional! Will definitely suggest them to friends and family."
"Great experience with Chimney Pro Solutions. Sean arrived on time, explained everything clearly, and showed me photos from the inspection. The work was done professionally and cleanly, with no pressure or upselling. I’d definitely recommend Chimney Pro Solutions."
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