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Annual Chimney Inspection Seattle, WA
The once-a-year chimney check that catches rain damage while it is small and tells you whether the flue actually needs sweeping. Free quote on any repair.
- Free 2nd-opinion quotes
- Price match + 10–25% discount
- Same-day service often available
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An annual chimney inspection is the yearly condition check that NFPA 211 recommends for every chimney, wood or gas, used or unused. Most years it is a Level 1 inspection: the readily accessible parts of the system, inside and out, looked over by someone who knows what a year of Seattle weather does to masonry and metal. Its job is to answer two questions before the burning season: is anything wearing out, and does the flue need a sweep this year or not.
That second question is where the annual inspection earns its keep. Some households sweep on autopilot; others skip it because nothing looked wrong from the hearth. The inspection replaces guessing with a look at the creosote stage, the damper, the smoke chamber and the chimney top. If the flue is clean enough, you are told so. If not, a sweep can usually be done on the same visit.
For the full explanation of Level 1, 2 and 3, see chimney inspection; for the Level 1 scope itself, see Level 1 chimney inspection.
Symptoms
Signs you need chimney annual inspection
- It has been a year or more since anyone looked at the chimney
- You are not sure whether the flue needs sweeping this year
- A winter of storms has passed since the cap and crown were last seen
- The fireplace is gas, so nobody ever thinks about the chimney
- Your insurer or a buyer asked for a recent inspection record
- A new stain, smell or draft showed up over the winter
Common causes
- A Seattle winter puts a chimney top through months of rain and repeated freeze-thaw crossings; condition changes every year
- Creosote accumulates at a rate that depends on the wood and the fires, so last year's answer may not be this year's
- Caps, chase covers, crown sealant and flashing sealant age a little each season until one year they fail
- Gas venting corrodes and collects debris over time even though it never sees creosote
How It Works
Our chimney annual inspection process
The annual check covers the readily accessible system: firebox brick and lintel, damper, smoke chamber, the flue as far as a light can see, hearth and clearances. Outside, the crown, cap or chase cover, flashing, mortar joints, brick faces and any moss or staining. We compare against last year's notes, set the creosote stage, and give you a short written summary: sweep needed or not, anything that moved since last year, and anything to fix now. If a change warrants a camera scan, we say so and explain why a Level 2 is the right next step.
Book before the season
Late summer or early fall is best, while the roof is dry and there is time to fix what we find.
Interior check
Firebox, damper, smoke chamber, flue from below, hearth and clearances.
Exterior and top check
Crown, cap or chase cover, flashing, masonry and staining. Our crew handles roof access.
Sweep decision
Based on the creosote stage we tell you whether a sweep is due this year; if it is, we can do it on the spot.
Written summary and free quote
A year-over-year record of condition, plus a free written quote for any repair, with no obligation.
Options
Repair and service options
The annual inspection adapts to the chimney:
- Wood-burning fireplace or stove: the Level 1 check with a creosote-stage call; add an annual sweep if it is due. Our sweep and inspection special starts at $299.
- Gas fireplace: the structure, chase cover, cap and termination are checked for corrosion, debris and water entry; our qualified technician handles any appliance-side checks.
- Upgrade to Level 2 when something has changed since last year: a new appliance, a chimney fire, a storm or earthquake, or a sale. See Level 2 chimney inspection.
Whatever the inspection finds, the quote is free, price matched plus 10–25% off any written quote, and covered by our guarantee: if you're not happy, we're not done. Same-day service is often available.
Pricing
What affects the price
- Wood, gas or unused chimney
- Number of flues
- Whether a sweep is added on the same visit
- Whether a camera scan (Level 2) is warranted this year
- Roof pitch and chimney height
- Whether attic or crawlspace pass-throughs are accessible
Every chimney is different, so you get a written quote after we look at the system. Ask about our price match and free second-opinion quote.
Safety & Seattle Conditions
Safety considerations
A chimney rarely fails all at once. It fails a little each year, and the annual inspection catches those small changes while they are cheap: a crown crack before it becomes a rebuild, a rusting cap before the flue fills with rain, a damper before it sticks open all winter. It is also the only reliable way to know whether creosote has reached a stage that can fuel a chimney fire. Roof and chimney-top work is ours to do; our crew is certified and insured for it. If you ever smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911.
Seattle & Puget Sound conditions
The reason to inspect every year rather than every few years is what a single Puget Sound winter does. Sea-Tac's NOAA normals put October through March at about 29.65 inches of precipitation, roughly 73% of the 40.34-inch annual total, and Seattle sees about 60 days a year where the temperature touches 32°F while winter lows average just above freezing. Wet masonry crossing the freezing point that often is the mechanism the Brick Industry Association ties to cracking and spalling, and it acts on the crown and stack every winter.
Add moss, which regional guidance says spreads fastest in Western Washington from October through April on shaded surfaces, and a chimney top can look different from one September to the next.
Our Work
Chimney Annual Inspection in action
Schedule your annual chimney inspection in Seattle
The yearly check NFPA 211 recommends, with a sweep only if it is due. Free quote on any repair. Call 206-453-2045.
☎ 206-453-2045 Request a QuoteQuestions
Chimney Annual Inspection FAQ
How often should a chimney be inspected in Seattle?
NFPA 211 recommends an inspection every year for every chimney, including gas and rarely used ones. In the Puget Sound that cadence matters because each wet winter changes the condition of the crown, cap, flashing and masonry. The annual visit is a Level 1 check unless something has changed.
Does an annual inspection include a sweep?
Not automatically, and that is the point. The inspection sets the creosote stage and tells you whether a sweep is due this year. If it is, we can sweep on the same visit; our sweep and inspection special starts at $299. If the flue can go another season, you save the cost.
What is the difference between an annual inspection and a regular chimney inspection?
The scope is the same Level 1 check; the difference is the yearly cadence and the record it builds. An annual inspection compares this year against last year's notes so slow changes stand out, and it is timed before the burning season so repairs happen in dry weather.
Do gas fireplaces need an annual chimney inspection?
Yes. There is no creosote, but the venting can corrode or collect debris and nests, and the chase cover, cap and flashing take the same rain as any chimney. The annual check covers the structure and venting; our qualified technician handles the appliance itself. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911.
Can I get a written record for my insurance or a future sale?
Yes. Each annual inspection comes with a short written summary of the chimney's condition and what, if anything, needs attention. Over a few years that builds a service history, useful for an insurance question or a buyer's agent. For the sale itself, NFPA 211 recommends a Level 2 inspection.
What happens if the inspection finds a problem?
You get a photo, a plain explanation and a free written quote. The most common annual finds are a cap that has rusted or gone missing, a cracked crown and a damper that no longer seals. Chase cover replacement starts at $299 and a crown rebuild starts at $299. Nothing is done without your approval.
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