Chimney Inspection for Corte Madera Homes

What a chimney inspection covers

We inspect the chimney and fireplace as one system. Inside, we check the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, flue and liner. From the roof, we check the crown, cap, spark arrestor, flashing and masonry. When the flue can't be seen directly, we run a camera through it to look for cracks, gaps and buildup. That camera review is often called a Level 2 inspection. We work on wood-burning and gas fireplaces and on all major brands. For each step in detail, read how chimney inspection works.

Local rules that bring the chimney into review

Two published local requirements touch the chimney. The first applies when a roof is replaced, altered or repaired. The second applies when certain single-family homes are sold. Each is described below with its source and what it means for your inspection.

Roof replacement, alteration or repair

The Town of Corte Madera Community Development Department's roofing guidelines set two requirements. Replacing, altering or repairing a roof requires a spark arrester on chimneys serving solid-fuel or wood-burning appliances or fireplaces. And when a tear-off inspection shows an existing fireplace chimney is unsafe, it must be repaired, rebuilt, or replaced with an approved factory-built chimney. (Source: Town of Corte Madera Community Development Department, Roofing Guidelines, 2024-06-04.)

Schedule the inspection before roofing starts. A problem found during tear-off has to be fixed then, while the roof is open and the roofing schedule is waiting. An earlier inspection shows you whether a spark arrester is missing and whether the masonry, crown or liner may need work. That gives you time to plan the repair instead of reacting to it.

Selling a home in the Wildland Urban Interface

Central Marin Fire requires a residential resale inspection and report for all single-family homes listed for sale within Corte Madera's designated Wildland Urban Interface. The requirement took effect November 5, 2021. This inspection requires a heavy wire mesh spark arrestor on all chimneys, and the property must pass within six months before a sales contract. (Source: Central Marin Fire Department, Residential Resale Inspections, Corte Madera section.)

The fire department's resale inspection is its own requirement, done by Central Marin Fire. Our real estate chimney inspection is a separate check you can book before listing. It confirms whether a suitable spark arrestor is in place and looks at the rest of the chimney and fireplace, so you know what needs attention before the fire department's inspection and the buyer's review.

When to book an inspection, and when another job fits better

• Before a reroof: an inspection shows whether the chimney needs repair or a spark arrester before tear-off begins.
• Before listing a home: a real estate chimney inspection gives you the chimney's condition ahead of the fire department's resale inspection and the buyer's review.
• After shaking or a storm: cracked mortar, a shifted crown or loose flashing can be hard to spot from the ground. Learn what causes chimney damage after an earthquake and what an inspection looks for.
• When you already know the arrestor is missing: you may not need a full inspection first. Book chimney cap installation for homes in Corte Madera instead, since a cap can include the spark arrestor screen.
• When water is already coming in: a leak repair visit targets the flashing, crown or masonry directly.

Booking a chimney inspection

Our 24-hour service runs Sunday through Friday, and we accept emergency calls. We also take on commercial and property-manager work. For the full scope of the service, visit our chimney inspection service page. To view everything else we handle in town, visit Corte Madera. Call or request an estimate to get started.