Chimney Inspection for El Cerrito Homes

What a chimney inspection covers

We check the fireplace or stove, the damper, the visible flue, the smoke chamber and the chimney exterior. That includes the crown, the flashing, the cap and the point where the chimney ends above the roof. We look for cracks, loose masonry, creosote buildup, blockages such as nests, and water damage. When the flue needs a closer look, a more detailed Level 2 inspection adds a camera run through the inside of the flue. You get a plain account of what we found and what it means. The steps and inspection levels are explained under how chimney inspection works.

Renting out a home? What the city checklist asks about chimneys

El Cerrito's Residential Rental Inspection Program checklist (EMC Chapter 16.30) asks whether all fuel-burning appliances, including fireplaces, terminate above the roof line and have vent caps. The City of El Cerrito's Rental Safety Checklist for that program also includes a check that fireplaces and chimneys are free of excessive damage or failure. (Source: City of El Cerrito, Residential Rental Inspection Program, Rental Safety Checklist.)

These items apply to rental properties covered by the program. For a landlord or property manager, the checklist points to the parts of a chimney to look at closely: where it ends relative to the roof, whether it has a cap, and whether there is visible damage or failure. An inspection before the city's check lets you find problems on your own schedule. Commercial and property-manager work is offered.

Planning roof work? Check the chimney top first

The City of El Cerrito Building Division's rooftop equipment inspection requirements state that a chimney spark arrester shall be installed with any repair, replacement or alteration to the roof of an existing structure. (Source: City of El Cerrito Building Division, Inspection Requirements: Rooftop Equipment, rev. 12.16.24.)

If you are replacing or repairing a roof, the chimney is part of that project. An inspection beforehand tells you whether a spark arrester is already in place and whether the crown, cap and flashing can take one without other work first. If the chimney top needs attention, it is easier to handle before the new roofing goes on than after. We install spark arresters and caps.

When an inspection is the right first step

• You are preparing a rental unit for the city's checklist or taking over management of one.
• A roof repair or replacement is coming up and you need to know the condition of the chimney top.
• You are buying or selling a home with a fireplace and want a clear record of its condition.
• The house has been through shaking and you see cracks or gaps. Our guide to chimney damage after an earthquake lists the signs to watch for.
• Smoke backs into the room, you notice odors, or something seems to be nesting in the flue.

If you already know something is broken, such as a cracked crown or a leak at the flashing, you may not need an inspection first. In that case, start with chimney repair for homes in El Cerrito.