Home Chimney Inspection

The chimney camera inspection: total clarity about your flue within an hour

Nobody can see what goes on inside a chimney from the outside. The home chimney camera inspection sends a specialized camera through the entire flue, revealing exactly what is happening inside within 30 to 60 minutes: cracks, deteriorated mortar joints, soot deposits, or a blocked passage. You watch along live on the screen.

The inspection costs 100 to 200 euros, and we deduct this full amount if you have us perform the repair or chimney lining. Doubts will never cost you twice: no guesswork, no conflicting opinions from 3 different contractors, just clear footage of your own flue.

A single camera inspection removes every assumption: make decisions about your chimney based on real footage, not guesswork.

What the camera reveals

The inspection camera captures the flue from top to bottom: hairline cracks and continuous fissures in the masonry, missing mortar joints, tar and creosote buildup, bird nests, obstructions, the actual diameter, and every bend or narrowing. The condition of an existing liner and the appliance connection points are also brought sharply into focus. Even hairline cracks of 1 to 2 millimeters, invisible to the naked eye, appear clearly on the screen.

How the chimney inspection works

1. Step 1: intake and visual check

   We assess the setup, the heating appliance, and the chimney structure from the outside, discussing your plans: a new stove, a fireplace conversion, or a persistent flue issue.

2. Step 2: camera inspection through the flue

   The camera is lowered from the roof or raised from the fireplace opening. You watch live while our technician explains everything you see in clear, plain language.

3. Step 3: draft measurement and smoke test

   A draft measurement and, if necessary, a smoke test verify whether the flue functions correctly. This links the visual footage directly to the performance of your chimney.

4. Step 4: detailed report with fixed prices

   You receive the video footage, an inspection report, and fixed pricing for every scenario: sweeping, repairing, lining, or replacing. If the flue is fully functional, you get official written proof for your insurer or home buyer. Use our objective footage to easily compare other quotes if you wish.

When should you get a chimney camera inspection?

When buying a home with an existing stove or fireplace, before signing the purchase agreement. When converting an open fireplace or installing a new heating appliance, as the scan determines whether a flexible flue liner is sufficient. For persistent draft issues, combined with our draft diagnosis service. And always after a chimney fire, as temperatures reaching 1,000 degrees often cause hidden structural damage.

How much does a chimney camera inspection cost?

The inspection costs 100 to 200 euros, depending on the length and accessibility of the flue, including draft measurement, report, and video files, with no call-out fees within our service region. If you choose us for the recommended repairs, we deduct the entire inspection fee from your final invoice. You will know all follow-up costs in advance, as detailed in our chimney renovation cost guide.

From inspection to solution

If the camera reveals only soot buildup, a chimney sweep for 60 to 90 euros is all you need. In case of damage to the stack or flue interior, you receive fixed quotes for chimney renovation options, and if the flue is beyond repair, we calculate a new twin-wall insulated flue system for you. You make your choice with all facts and figures in front of you. Technical standards applied during our inspections can be found on the Buildwise technical standards page.

Camera inspection or basic visual check?

Using a mirror and flashlight, a technician can only see the first 1 to 2 meters of a flue: this quick check is included free with every chimney sweep. However, bends, middle sections, and the condition behind connecting pipes remain hidden, which is precisely where structural issues usually occur.

A camera system inspects the entire run, from top to bottom. The rule of thumb is simple: if financial decisions depend on the condition of the chimney, choose a camera inspection. For routine maintenance, a basic visual check is sufficient.

How to prepare for the technician's visit

Keep your appliance handbook or data plate handy if available, and note down key observations: when smoke issues occur, under which weather conditions, and when the problem started. This context completes our diagnosis within 30 to 60 minutes. A nearby power socket is helpful but not strictly necessary, as our cameras run on battery power.

For buyers, sellers, and landlords

More and more home buyers want certainty about the flue system before purchasing a property, while sellers proactively provide an inspection report. Landlords also use our camera scans as official proof of proper maintenance. The footage and report form a single conclusive document ending any dispute about the flue's condition, for just 100 to 200 euros. Many real estate agents across the region now work with our reports.