We are
extremely proud to say that we are the ONLY Certified Chimney Sweep company
in San Diego, CA that offers chimney video inspections!
Chimney
Video Inspections
What is a chimney video inspection?
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 and being able to
either record video or take digital images of any issues such as cracks or
gaps in the masonry chimney flue sections or if there are any disconnected
flue pipes in a prefabricated chimney flue that are found that may not be
visible otherwise.
Using the
video inspection camera allows us to spot any unsafe
chimney conditions that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to see, 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. What they plainly show is
the importance of having the chimney swept first in order to spot any damage
to the system.
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 about the top 4' - 6' accurately. Only with a video
camera, can we see every aspect of the chimney flue pipe sections and the
mortar joints in-between.
Why should I have a video inspection?
Chimney video inspections are commonly recommended if the
customer, home inspector or the 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...
You should be aware that even the most thorough
inspection may not reveal all problems. Some areas of a chimney simply 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 make the differentiation between a
spider web and a crack in the flue lining, or to see any damage under even a
small amount of creosote buildup.