The
video inspection camera spots identifies unsafe chimney conditions out of
view, such as:
Flue pipe cracks, even
hairline cracks
Missing mortar or gaps between flue sections
Damage caused by a chimney fire
Obstructions in the
flue
Disconnected prefab
flue pipe sections
Broken or missing flue
lining sections
Deterioration of smoke
shelf or damper
Hidden breeches (gaps)
in the chimney system
All of the
pictures above are of the same chimney.
Its important
to have the
chimney swept first in order to spot any damage to the system.
A chimney video inspection consists of sending a
special video camera into the chimney flue from either above going
down or by sending it up through the damper area from below.
We can either record video or take digital images cracks or
gaps in the masonry chimney flue sections,
or disconnected sections in a prefabricated chimney flue that may not be
visible otherwise.
The Chimney Video Inspection Camera
The
Wohler VIS 2000 Pro chimney video inspection camera has the ability
to pan, tilt and rotate 180° and 360° by remote control directly from
the controls at the monitor.
During the scan we can at
any time save a digital video recording or a digital still image of any
issues that we find in the chimney flue.
A typical inspection of the inside of a chimney flue
lining without the camera is from the top of the chimney looking down with
only a flashlight and the naked eye.
This will only give you a minimal view
of the system at best and leaves too much to guesswork. Using this method
only allows us to see roughly the top 4' - 6' accurately.
With a video camera, we
can more thoroughly inspect the chimney flue sections and the mortar joints.
Why and when would I have a video inspection?
Chimney video inspections are
commonly recommended if the customer, home inspector or chimney sweep
suspect problems in the system.
Some of the reasons why this
type of inspection would be recommended are:
A potential crack or
void is seen in the chimney during the initial chimney evaluation or
sweeping
After a chimney fire
or other sudden occurrence event
Change or
replacement of an appliance with one of dissimilar type, input rating or
efficiency
Prior to relining
chimney flue
Upon sale or
transfer of the property
Some other form of
suspected chimney damage
Other things you need to know about
chimney video inspections...
Even the most thorough
inspection may not reveal all problems. Some areas of a chimney are
not accessible due to the construction of the chimney, but a chimney video
inspection will provide you with the most effective method available to
determine the interior condition of
the chimney flue and any potential
damage.
In almost all cases, a chimney
sweeping will be required before a chimney video inspection can be done.
This is because it’s very
difficult to see any difference between a
spider web and a crack in the flue lining, or to see any damage under even a
small amount of creosote buildup.
