Chimney Inspection in Elmhurst, RI

Your Family's Safety Starts Here

Professional chimney inspections that catch dangerous problems before they catch fire.

A man wearing a white hard hat and a red-and-blue plaid shirt crouches in front of a wood-burning stove with its door open, carefully inspecting the interior. He holds a clipboard in one hand, appearing to take notes or mark observations. The stove is situated in a cozy indoor space with a stone or tile hearth, and warm ambient lighting highlights the safety-focused, methodical nature of the inspection.

Hear from Our Customers

A man wearing a white hard hat and a red-and-blue plaid shirt leans slightly forward as he opens the glass door of a fireplace for inspection. He holds a clipboard in his other hand, poised to take notes. The fireplace is set into a rustic stone wall inside a cozy, warmly lit room. Sunlight filters through nearby windows, casting natural light onto wooden furniture, a soft rug, and exposed beams, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere that contrasts with the technical nature of the inspection.

Professional Chimney Services Elmhurst

Sleep Better Knowing Your Chimney's Safe

You light that first fire of the season without wondering if something’s wrong. No more worrying about strange smells or whether that crack you noticed last year got worse.

A thorough chimney inspection gives you exactly what you’re looking for: certainty. You’ll know if your chimney liner is intact, if your cap is doing its job, and if there are any safety issues that need attention before they become expensive emergencies.

Most importantly, you’ll have documentation that your heating system is operating safely. That’s peace of mind you can’t put a price on, especially when your family’s wellbeing depends on it.

Elmhurst Chimney Inspection Experts

We Know New England Chimneys

We’ve been serving Providence County homeowners for years, and we understand the unique challenges that come with older New England homes. Many houses in Elmhurst were built decades ago, often with chimney systems that weren’t designed for today’s heating demands.

We’ve seen it all: original masonry that’s weathered countless freeze-thaw cycles, liners that were never properly installed, and caps that gave up years ago. Our experience with local construction means we know exactly what to look for in your specific type of home.

When we inspect your chimney, you’re getting technicians who understand both the craftsmanship of older systems and the safety standards of today.

A brick chimney with metal flashing at its base is set on a dark shingled roof. The sun casts strong shadows, including the shadow of a person taking the photo.

Chimney Inspection Process Elmhurst

Here's Exactly What We Check

We start with the exterior, examining your chimney cap, crown, and flashing for damage or wear. These components protect your chimney from water damage, which is the leading cause of expensive repairs in our climate.

Next, we inspect the chimney liner from top to bottom using specialized equipment. This is where most safety issues hide – cracks or deterioration in the liner can allow dangerous gases to enter your home or create fire hazards.

Finally, we check your fireplace and damper system, ensuring everything operates properly and safely. You’ll receive a detailed report with photographs showing exactly what we found, along with our recommendations prioritized by safety and cost.

A person in a yellow safety vest stands on a shingled roof, inspecting a large chimney, with a blue sky and scattered clouds in the background.

Ready to get started?

About Above and Beyond Chimney Service

Get a Free Consultation

Complete Chimney Inspection Elmhurst

What You Get With Every Inspection

Your inspection covers every component that affects safety and performance: chimney cap, crown, flashing, liner, damper, and fireplace. We use professional-grade cameras to document the interior condition and provide you with clear photographs of any issues we discover.

Rhode Island’s harsh winters are particularly tough on chimney systems. Freeze-thaw cycles can crack masonry, and ice dams can damage flashing. Our inspections are specifically designed to catch these regional problems before they become major headaches.

You’ll receive a comprehensive written report within 24 hours, complete with prioritized recommendations and cost estimates for any needed repairs. This documentation is valuable for insurance purposes and helps you plan maintenance around your budget.

A construction worker wearing a hard hat and safety vest stands on a ladder, inspecting the shingles on a residential roof next to a brick chimney under a partly cloudy sky.

How often should I have my chimney inspected in Elmhurst?

Annual inspections are recommended for any chimney system you use regularly. If you burn wood frequently during heating season, you should have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year without exception. Even if you only use your fireplace occasionally, you should still have it inspected annually. Chimneys can develop problems from weather exposure, animal intrusion, or simple aging, regardless of how often you use them. Rhode Island’s climate is particularly hard on masonry and metal components. If you’ve never had your chimney inspected, or if it’s been more than a year, that inspection should be your immediate priority before you use your fireplace again.
A chimney inspection is a safety evaluation – we’re looking for structural problems, damage, or hazards that could affect safe operation. Cleaning removes creosote buildup and debris that accumulates from burning wood. Most chimneys need both services. The inspection tells us if your chimney is safe to use, while cleaning ensures it operates efficiently and reduces fire risk. We typically recommend doing both at the same time since we’re already accessing all parts of your chimney system. However, if our inspection reveals safety issues like a damaged liner or structural problems, those need to be addressed before any cleaning takes place. Safety always comes first.
A basic Level 1 inspection typically costs between $150-$300, depending on your chimney’s accessibility and complexity. This covers a visual examination of all accessible areas and basic operational testing. If we find issues that require a more detailed Level 2 inspection with specialized equipment, that additional service runs $300-$500. Level 2 inspections use cameras to examine areas we can’t see visually and are often required before major repairs or when selling a home. The cost of inspection is minimal compared to the expense of emergency repairs or, worse, dealing with fire or carbon monoxide damage. Most homeowners find that annual inspections actually save them money by catching small problems early.
Damaged or deteriorated chimney liners are among the most serious and common problems we discover. A compromised liner can allow dangerous gases to enter your home or create fire hazards by letting heat reach combustible materials. Water damage is extremely common in our climate. Damaged caps, crowns, or flashing allow water to enter the chimney system, leading to expensive masonry repairs and potential structural issues. We also frequently find blockages from animal nests, debris, or excessive creosote buildup. Other safety concerns include damaged dampers that don’t seal properly, missing or inadequate spark arrestors, and clearance issues where the chimney passes through combustible materials. Each of these problems can compromise your family’s safety if left unaddressed.
We strongly recommend against using any chimney system that hasn’t been inspected within the past year. Hidden problems can develop quickly, and using a compromised chimney puts your family at serious risk. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real danger with damaged chimney systems. This odorless, colorless gas can be fatal, and you won’t know there’s a problem until it’s too late. Similarly, structural issues or creosote buildup can lead to chimney fires that can quickly spread to your home. If you’re unsure about your chimney’s condition, schedule an inspection before you light any fires. It’s a small investment that could prevent a major tragedy or expensive damage to your home.
We provide you with a detailed report that prioritizes any issues we find based on safety risk and repair urgency. Critical safety problems get immediate attention, while minor maintenance items can typically be scheduled at your convenience. For serious safety issues, we’ll explain exactly what’s wrong, why it’s dangerous, and what needs to be done to make your chimney safe to use. We provide written estimates for all recommended repairs and can often schedule the work within days of your inspection. Minor issues like small masonry repairs or routine maintenance can usually wait until it’s convenient for you, but we’ll give you a realistic timeline for when these items should be addressed. Our goal is to keep you informed and help you make the best decisions for your home’s safety and your budget.