Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Trusted Chimney Inspection for San Antonio Homeowners
Kindling Chimney San Antonio performs chimney inspections that go well beyond a quick glance up the flue. We document what we find, show you the photos, and hand you a written price for any work before a single tool comes off the truck. Danny Cortes leads our San Antonio team, and every inspection is backed by the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if the work isn’t right, we make it right. Families in Alamo Heights, Helotes, and Live Oak call us because we treat the house like a home – shoe covers on, drop cloths down, and a photo of the clean-up before we leave. Call (361) 491-3153 to book a Chimney Inspection in San Antonio, and a live person answers – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Key Takeaways
- Chimney inspections in San Antonio typically run $189 – $349 for standard Level 1 or Level 2 work, depending on flue access and condition.
- Every inspection includes camera documentation so you see exactly what we see, with photos included in your report.
- The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers every inspection – if we miss something, we make it right.
- A live person answers (361) 491-3153 around the clock, not a voicemail tree.
- Written pricing before any work starts is standard on every visit, never optional.
Styles & brands we work with
Fireplace Inspection
Fireplace Inspection is what we do when the firebox, damper, hearth, and surrounding masonry all need a careful look – because what happens inside the firebox affects the air your family breathes in the living room. In San Antonio, fireplaces get worked hard during the short winter stretch from November through February, and then sit dormant through months of heat and humidity. That cycle of temperature swings and moisture is exactly what loosens mortar joints, warps dampers, and creates gaps that let smoke drift back into the house. A fireplace inspection from Kindling Chimney San Antonio covers the firebox refractory panels, damper operation, hearth clearance, and the first several feet of flue visible from the firebox. Most fireplace inspections in San Antonio run $189 to $249 when done as a standalone service, and they’re often combined with a sweep if you’ve been burning regularly. We’re careful to protect the floor around the hearth with drop cloths and take a photo of the clean-up before we leave – the Cedarwell Care Promise is part of every visit.
What We Check Inside the Firebox
We look for cracked refractory panels, deteriorating mortar joints, and gaps between the firebox and the hearth that can let embers reach framing. We also check the damper to confirm it opens fully and seats properly when closed. A damper that doesn’t seat lets conditioned air escape up the chimney all year, which is a quiet utility bill problem many San Antonio homeowners never connect to the fireplace.
When You Need This Service
You need a fireplace inspection if you notice smoke spilling into the room, a lingering smell of burnt wood days after the fire, or visible cracks in the firebox brick. You should also schedule one before the first burn of the season if you skipped it last year. Danny Cortes and our team never recommend work without camera evidence you can see – you’ll know exactly what’s happening and why.
Chimney Inspection Services
Chimney Inspection Services from Kindling Chimney San Antonio cover the entire system – from the firebox to the chimney crown – with the depth matched to your situation. Some homeowners need a quick visual check before buying a house. Others need a full internal scan because they’ve noticed water stains near the ceiling. We offer Level 1 and Level 2 inspections built around the National Fire Protection Association standard, and we use a chimney camera on every internal inspection so you’re not taking our word for it. Most chimney inspection services in San Antonio run $189 to $349 depending on the level, access, and whether a sweep is included. Every inspection includes the Cedarwell Care Promise: shoe covers and drop cloths on arrival, nothing moved without asking, and a photo of the clean-up before we leave. We’re happy to walk through the whole report with you – no pressure, no upsell.
What a Written Report Includes
You’ll receive a written report with photos from the inspection, measured clearances, and any findings ranked by urgency. A crack in the crown may be something we note for next year, while a deteriorated flue liner is something we flag with a specific recommendation. The goal is clarity, not a list of scary unknowns.
Why Camera Evidence Changes Everything
We use a chimney camera to document what’s actually inside the flue, not what we guess based on the outside. That means when we recommend a repair or a liner, you can see the crack, the spalling, or the creosote buildup with your own eyes. Families with kids and pets around the house deserve that level of plain, visual honesty.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Chimney Flue Inspection
Chimney Flue Inspection is the core of what we do, because the flue is the pipe that carries heat, smoke, and combustion byproducts up and out of your home. If the flue is cracked, blocked, or coated in creosote, the appliance you trust to keep your family warm becomes a risk you can’t see from the living room couch. In San Antonio, flues take real abuse from the combination of hard use in winter and long periods of high humidity in summer. That humidity is a particular problem for clay tile liners, which absorb moisture and then crack as temperature cycles run through the masonry. A chimney flue inspection from Kindling Chimney San Antonio uses a camera to scan the entire length of the flue, checking for cracks, gaps at the tile joints, creosote buildup, and any obstruction. Most flue inspections in San Antonio run $189 to $249 for a Level 1, and $289 to $349 for a Level 2 when a camera scan is necessary. We look for signs of moisture damage to the liner and recommend repairs only when the camera evidence makes it necessary – never because a sales script says so.
Signs of Flue Wear We Look For
We check for spalling clay tiles – thin shards of tile accumulating at the bottom of the flue – which indicate the liner is actively deteriorating. We also measure creosote thickness and check for the glazed, shiny creosote that forms from low-temperature fires. That’s the kind that resists brushing and requires mechanical removal.
Why the Liner Matters for Your Family
The liner protects the chimney masonry from heat transfer. A cracked liner lets heat and gases move into the brickwork, and over time that can allow carbon monoxide to enter living spaces. The danger is real, which is why we take our time and document everything. No crew from Kindling Chimney San Antonio ever recommends a liner replacement backed by DuraFlex or HeatShield without a camera image you can review yourself.
Chimney Fire
Chimney Fire is the event every inspection is designed to prevent – a fire that starts inside the chimney flue rather than the firebox, fueled by the creosote that accumulates on the flue walls. It’s not a scare tactic to explain that creosote is flammable; it’s what our camera looks for on every single inspection. In San Antonio, we see chimneys with years of unburned, smoke-heavy fires from damp wood or improperly operated dampers, leaving thick creosote layers that build up quickly along the flue. A chimney fire inspection from Kindling Chimney San Antonio focuses on identifying creosote levels, flue damage from previous overheating, and any structural shifts that make the chimney vulnerable. Most chimney fire-prevention inspections in San Antonio run $189 to $249 and include a visual and camera assessment of creosote buildup. If we find glazed creosote, we’ll explain mechanical removal and give you a written price before anything else happens. The 365-Day Done Right Promise applies here too – if we miss creosote we should have caught, we make it right.
What Creosote Buildup Looks Like
Creosote goes through stages – from flaky black dust that vacuums easily, to a dense, tar-like coating that needs scraping, to a hardened, shiny glaze that resists standard brushes. The glaze form burns hot and is the one we treat with the most caution. Our inspection identifies which stage you’re at so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
How We Check for Heat Damage
We look for cracks in the flue liner that suggest the chimney has already experienced high temperatures, even if no one noticed a fire. A prior chimney fire often leaves a distinctive pattern – discoloration, warped metal components, or cracked tiles. We’ll flag that in the written report and advise you on what, if anything, needs attention.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
Level 2 Chimney Inspection is the standard we recommend whenever a property changes hands, after a storm or seismic event, after a chimney fire, or when you’ve made changes to the appliance or venting. It includes everything in a Level 1 – the visual check of accessible areas – plus a camera scan of the entire flue interior, the attic, the crawlspace, and the exterior chimney structure, making it ideal for homeowners seeking a thorough Chimney Inspection - Converse area families can trust. In San Antonio, real estate transactions often require a Level 2, and we’ve done hundreds for buyers, sellers, and agents across Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and the surrounding communities. A Level 2 chimney inspection in San Antonio typically runs $289 to $349, depending on roof access and the number of flues. Kindling Chimney San Antonio includes the camera scan, a written report, and photos, and we walk through every finding with you face to face. Danny Cortes insists on that walk-through – there’s no point in handing you a report and walking away.
What Triggers a Level 2 Inspection
The common triggers are a real estate transaction, a chimney fire, a lightning strike or major storm, or any change to the heating appliance. San Antonio’s heavy spring storm seasons produce enough hail and wind that roof and chimney damage is a real concern. We recommend a Level 2 after any storm that puts debris on your roof.
What the Camera Shows a Level 1 Cannot
The chimney camera reveals cracks, gaps, and blockages hidden behind the walls of the flue where a visual inspection can’t reach. That’s where nesting animals, broken tiles, and disconnected liners are found. When we identify a problem, we show you the image and we give you a written price for the fix using professional-grade materials – often DuraFlex or HeatShield for liner work.
Chimney Leak
Chimney Leak is one of the most common calls we get in San Antonio after the spring and fall rain seasons, and it’s rarely the flashing. Most chimney leaks come from the crown – the concrete cap at the top of the chimney – or from damaged brick and mortar that lets water soak into the structure. Water intrusion shows up as ceiling stains, a musty smell near the fireplace, or white efflorescence on the exterior brick. A chimney leak inspection from Kindling Chimney San Antonio checks the crown, the flashing, the brick, the mortar joints, and the cap, and usually includes a camera scan of the flue to confirm water hasn’t reached the liner. Most chimney leak inspections in San Antonio run $189 to $249, and if we find the leak source, we’ll give you a written repair price before anything is done. We also check the interior of the flue for water damage to the liner, because that’s where a small leak becomes a big expense over time.
Why the Crown Is Usually the Problem
The crown is the concrete surface at the top of the chimney that seals the top of the masonry. In San Antonio, years of sun and heat cause hairline cracks in the crown, and those cracks widen with every rain storm. Water gets in, reaches the brick, and the freeze-thaw cycles – rare but real in Texas winters – keep widening the damage.
What We Do About Damaged Flashing
Flashing is the metal seal between the chimney and the roof, and it fails when the sealant dries out or the metal pulls away from the brick. We inspect the step flashing, counter flashing, and apron, and we’ll tell you plainly if the leak is from flashing or from masonry. We never sell flashing repair if the camera shows the leak is coming from the crown.
Chimney Camera Inspection
Chimney Camera Inspection is the technology that makes our findings verifiable. We run a high-resolution camera through the entire length of the flue, from the firebox all the way to the top, recording video and capturing still images at every point of interest. For San Antonio homeowners, this means you never have to take a repair recommendation on faith – you can see the crack, the gap, the creosote, or the animal nest in the photos we include in your report. A chimney camera inspection in San Antonio typically runs $189 to $249 as part of a Level 1, and is included in every Level 2 inspection at $289 to $349. Kindling Chimney San Antonio uses the camera on every inspection that involves the interior of the flue, not just when something looks suspicious from the outside. We believe that’s the only honest way to do this work, and we’ve never had a homeowner argue with a photo.
What the Camera Finds That Eyes Miss
The camera finds the things that hide where light doesn’t reach: hairline cracks in the liner, separated tile joints, hidden creosote deposits, and small animals that have made a nest. In Live Oak and Universal City, we regularly pull evidence of birds, squirrels, and raccoons out of flues with the camera. You’d never see those from the bottom with a flashlight.
What You Get in Your Report
You get every camera still we capture, organized in the order they were taken, with callouts for anything we flag. We go over each image with you in person so there’s no technical jargon to decode later. That’s the kind of transparency that keeps families calling Kindling Chimney San Antonio back year after year.
See the difference
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After
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After
Before
AfterBrands We Service
We work on chimneys and fireplaces built with parts and materials from Famco, Copperfield, and DuraFlex, and we’ve handled enough of each to know their failure points and strengths. Famco chimney caps and dampers are common in San Antonio homes, and we inspect the top-mount damper seal and the cap screen for rust, animal damage, and wear on every visit. Copperfield chimney products – especially their chimney caps and chase covers – show up regularly in newer construction, and we know how to spot when a chase cover has outlived its useful life. DuraFlex liners are what we install and inspect most often, and we can identify the difference between a properly insulated liner and one that’s been exposed to heat or moisture abuse. Whether you have one of these brands or any other make, we can help.
Signs You Need a Pro Right Now
- White staining on the exterior brick. That white, powdery substance is efflorescence – salt deposits left behind when water evaporates from the masonry. It means water is moving through your chimney, and every rain cycle is making the problem worse. A chimney leak inspection identifies where the water is entering before the brick starts spalling.
- A smell of smoke or burnt wood days after the fire is out. That lingering odor usually means creosote has built up in the flue, or the damper isn’t seating properly and is pulling air back down into the living space. We’ll check both, and show you the creosote on camera if that’s the culprit.
- Visible cracks in the firebox or hearth. Cracks in the refractory panels or the hearth mortar are a fire-safety issue – heat and embers can reach combustibles behind the masonry. We’ll measure the cracks and tell you whether repair is necessary now or can wait a season.
- Water stains on the ceiling near the chimney. A water stain doesn’t always mean an active leak, but it always means water has been where it shouldn’t. We’ll inspect the crown, flashing, and chase, then confirm with the camera whether the liner has been affected.
- You bought the house and don’t know when the chimney was last inspected. San Antonio home sales close every week, and many buyers rely on a general home inspection that gives the chimney a passing glance. A Level 2 chimney inspection is the standard we recommend for any new homeowner – you’ll know the condition of your flue before the first burn.
Our Process, Step by Step
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Call and speak to a person. When you call (361) 491-3153, a live person answers and schedules your inspection. We’ll ask about your chimney’s age, the appliance type, and any symptoms you’ve noticed so we arrive prepared. No automated menu, no callback next week.
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We arrive with the floor protected. Our background-checked, uniformed technicians follow the C.A.R.E. values from the first minute: shoe covers and drop cloths go down before anything else, and we ask before we move a single piece of furniture. Your kids and pets can stay in the house – we use pet-safe products where there’s a choice.
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Visual and camera inspection. We inspect the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, flue, crown, flashing, and cap. Then we run the camera through the full length of the flue and capture still images. You’re welcome to watch the screen while we scan – most homeowners do.
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Written report and walk-through. Danny Cortes or one of our lead technicians walks you through every finding, photo by photo. We rank issues by urgency – what needs attention now, what can wait, and what’s in good shape. Nothing is recommended without visual evidence.
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Written price before any work starts. If we recommend a sweep, a repair, or a liner upgrade, you’ll get a written price on the spot. No pressure, no “limited time” discounts, no surprise line items later. And if the work is done, we photograph the clean-up before we leave. Every job is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise.
How Much Does Chimney Inspection Cost in San Antonio?
A typical chimney inspection in San Antonio runs $189 to $249 for a Level 1, and $289 to $349 for a Level 2 with a full camera scan. The simple visual check covers the accessible areas – firebox, damper, flue from the top and bottom – and is right for homes that have been swept regularly and have no known issues. The Level 2 adds the interior camera scan of the flue, plus checks of the attic and crawlspace where accessible, and it’s the one we recommend for real estate transactions or any sign of trouble.
Several factors affect the final price. Roof pitch and access matter – a steep roof in Helotes or a high chase in Fair Oaks Ranch takes more time to reach safely than a low ranch in Kirby. Multiple flues add to the inspection time. And if we find a significant creosote buildup or a blockage, you may need a sweep before the inspection can be completed properly, which runs $150 to $250 on average and is priced clearly before we start. We never surprise you at the door. Every estimate is free, written, and good before any work begins. The best way to avoid overpaying is to get the camera evidence – a cheap visual-only inspection that misses a cracked liner ends up costing more later. That’s why every Kindling Chimney San Antonio inspection includes the camera and a written report, with the 365-Day Done Right Promise standing behind the work.
Our Service Area Near San Antonio
Kindling Chimney San Antonio serves the greater San Antonio area, including New Braunfels, Converse, Live Oak, Helotes, Fair Oaks Ranch, Bulverde, Universal City, Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Kirby, and Castle Hills. Most inspections are scheduled within the week, and we route our crews to minimize drive time and respect your schedule. If you’re outside these areas, call anyway – we’ve driven further for a family that needed a straight answer. For homeowners in nearby communities, we also offer Chimney Inspection in New Braunfels and Chimney Inspection in Converse, and we’re happy to point you back to our home page for the full scope of our work. This page focuses on Chimney Inspection in San Antonio, where Danny Cortes and our team live and work every day.
Serving San Antonio, TX - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the San Antonio area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Inspection in San Antonio
A chimney inspection is a systematic check of the fireplace, flue, damper, crown, flashing, and cap to identify safety hazards, blockages, or deterioration. Kindling Chimney San Antonio performs Level 1 and Level 2 inspections with a chimney camera, so you see the condition of your flue in photos rather than taking our word for it. The inspection ends with a written report and a walk-through of any findings. Call (361) 491-3153 to schedule yours.
A standard chimney inspection in San Antonio takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the level of inspection and roof access. A Level 1 visual check is usually under an hour, while a Level 2 with a full camera scan, attic access, and multiple flues can run closer to 90 minutes. We’ll give you an accurate time window when you call (361) 491-3153.
Chimney inspections in San Antonio typically run $189 to $249 for a Level 1 and $289 to $349 for a Level 2 with camera documentation. The price depends on roof access, the number of flues, and whether a sweep is needed before the inspection can be completed. Every estimate is free and written before any work starts, so there are no surprises. Call (361) 491-3153 for an exact quote.
Yes, we work on chimneys and fireplaces built with Famco, Copperfield, and DuraFlex components, and we know each brand’s common wear patterns. We inspect the damper seals and cap screens on Famco units, check Copperfield caps and chase covers for corrosion, and evaluate DuraFlex liners for insulation and heat damage. If you have another brand, we’ll still inspect it – the camera doesn’t care about the nameplate.
A live person answers our phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we’ll work with you to schedule an inspection as soon as possible if you’re dealing with a chimney leak, suspected chimney fire, or water intrusion. We don’t promise same-day dispatch, but we do promise that a real person will listen and schedule you promptly. Call (361) 491-3153 any time.
The 365-Day Done Right Promise is simple: if we perform a chimney inspection, sweep, or repair and the work isn’t done right, we make it right within 365 days. No fine print, no runaround. It applies to every service we perform, and it’s why we document everything with photos before we leave.
Clear the area around the fireplace by moving furniture, rugs, or decor at least three feet away from the hearth, and move any delicate items off the mantel. If you have a gas fireplace, turn off the pilot light a few hours before we arrive. We’ll handle floor protection from there – shoe covers and drop cloths go down before we touch anything, and we’ll ask before moving any furniture that’s still in the way.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Service in San Antonio Today
A chimney inspection with Kindling Chimney San Antonio means a written price, camera evidence, and respect for your floors, your air, and your family’s routines. If the work isn’t right, the 365-Day Done Right Promise makes it right. Call (361) 491-3153 for a free, no-obligation estimate – a live person answers 24/7, and every visit starts with the Cedarwell Care Promise.
Written by Danny Cortes, Owner at Kindling Chimney San Antonio, serving San Antonio since 2003.