Vashon Chimney — Book a Sweep & Inspection

The First Visit

Why new clients start with a Level 2 inspection

On a first visit I know nothing about your chimney — when it was last inspected, whether there's ever been a chimney fire, whether the flue tiles cracked in a freeze. A quick look from the firebox can't answer any of that. The flue liner — the one component keeping combustion gases where they belong — stays invisible.

A Level 2 inspection answers it: I run a camera down the full length of every flue and document its real interior condition, plus the accessible areas where the chimney passes through your home. You get a photo-documented baseline — useful for insurance, for resale, and for every visit after. Once your baseline is on record, future visits can use a faster Level 1 inspection if the system's in good shape.

Heavy creosote buildup dripping from a chimney cap

From a real service call: creosote buildup on a chimney cap. This is what "it's probably fine" can look like — and why I look instead of guess.

How to prepare

Don't burn for 24 hours beforeThe system needs to be cold and safe to inspect.

Clear about 6 feetAround the fireplace or stove — furniture, rugs, anything fragile.

Provide accessTo the appliance and, if possible, the attic, crawlspace, or basement the chimney passes through.

Secure pets & parkingKeep pets settled and leave parking near the entrance if you can.

Empty the fireboxPlease remove the bulk of ashes, debris, and any combustibles before I arrive (cold ashes only, metal container). If I need to do it for you, an additional fee may apply.

Debris is disposed on-siteAnything I remove gets disposed of on your property — wood ash is great for island gardens. If you'd rather I haul it away, an additional fee may apply.

Tell me what you knowSmoking, odors, animals, a past chimney fire — it all helps me look in the right places. There's a notes field in the booking below.

Let's start with your details

First name *

Last name *

Phone *

Email (optional — for your receipt & report)

I'm a returning client — you've serviced this property before and have my baseline on record.

First visit? Here's how it works. Every new client starts with a Level 2 inspection — a camera scan of the full flue interior — to establish your system's baseline condition. It protects both of us, and future visits can use a faster Level 1 if everything checks out.

Why is this required?

I need to see inside your chimney before I can certify it's safe to use. The camera reveals what nothing else can: hidden damage, liner cracks and gaps, creosote buildup, and structural deterioration.

NFPA 211 (the national chimney safety standard) requires a Level 2 inspection after a property sale, a fuel change, an appliance swap, a chimney fire, or a malfunction. On a first visit, neither of us can be sure none of those apply — the Level 2 resolves it in one visit, documented.

A clean chimney isn't the same as a safe one.

Why new clients start with a Level 2 inspection

How to prepare

Book your sweep and inspection

Let's start with your details

Where am I coming?

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