Most chimney problems do not announce themselves. A hairline in a flue tile, a crown that has started drinking meltwater, a liner joint opening a quarter inch at a time: none of it is visible from the hearth, and all of it is cheap to catch early and expensive to meet late. That is why our inspection is free, camera and all. An honest look costs us an hour; skipping it can cost you a rebuild.
What the free inspection includes
A camera goes up the full length of the flue and we record what it sees: tile condition, joint gaps, creosote stage, anything living up there that should not be. We walk the roofline and check the cap, crown, flashing and the masonry above the roof, the part of the chimney that takes Boulder weather full in the face. Then we sit down and explain the findings the way we would want them explained: what is fine, what is wearing, what actually needs doing this year, and what can wait. You keep the findings either way.
Inspection levels, translated
The industry grades inspections in three levels. Level 1 is the accessible-areas look that suits a chimney in regular, unchanged use; it is the one we do free. Level 2 adds the camera scan of the full flue interior and is the standard call when a property changes hands, when the system changes fuel or appliance, or after any event that could have hurt the flue, a chimney fire, a lightning strike, one of those Chinook gusts that rearranges shingles. Level 3 opens walls, and nobody schedules it for fun. We tell you which level your situation actually calls for, and we do not upsell the ladder.
Why altitude belongs in an inspection
A flue that drafts adequately in Denver can sulk in the foothills, and one sized for sea level can underperform anywhere in Boulder County. Draft is a density calculation, and density is thinner up here. When we inspect, we are not just looking for damage; we are checking whether the system as designed can actually breathe at this elevation, because a healthy-looking chimney that drafts poorly is still a problem.
Chimney inspection FAQ
Is the inspection really free, with no catch?
Yes. No trip fee, no report fee, no obligation. We win enough of the work that follows to make the arithmetic sensible, and the quotes stand on their own.
Do I need an inspection when buying a home in Boulder?
The standard calls for a Level 2 inspection at every property transfer, and general home inspectors rarely scope the flue interior. A camera scan before closing has renegotiated more than one purchase price.
What if you find something serious?
You get photos, a plain explanation and a written quote, then time to think. We do not do doorstep urgency. The only fires we like are the ones inside the firebox.