Real Estate Agents: Why Chimney Inspections Matter in Home Sales

By The Mad Hatter Service Company · October 2026

Home Inspections Rarely Cover the Whole Chimney

A general home inspection usually includes a visual look at the fireplace and the outside of the chimney. It rarely includes a camera scan of the flue, a look at the attic and foundation around the chimney, or a review of the venting for gas appliances. Those are the areas where expensive problems hide.

What the Standard Calls For

NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection upon the sale or transfer of a property. Our real estate inspections are based on St. Louis City & County and St. Charles City & County currently adopted municipal code, and include a sweep, an internal flue scan, and a rooftop, attic, and foundation inspection, with a written report and photos.

How a Chimney Inspection Protects Each Party

• Buyers learn the true condition of the chimney before closing, not after the first fire.
• Sellers get documentation that supports the listing and avoids surprises during negotiation.
• Agents reduce the risk of post-closing disputes and keep transactions on schedule.

Common Findings in St. Louis Area Home Sales

• Cracked or missing flue tiles in older homes
• Furnace or water heater flues that were never relined after an appliance change
• Cracked crowns, failing mortar, and leaking flashing
• Factory-built fireplaces with rusted chase covers or missing components
• Gas inserts installed without a dedicated liner

Scheduling Around Your Closing

Book the chimney inspection early in the inspection period so there is time to review the report and get repair estimates. Our real estate agent page explains how we work with agents, and our chimney inspection page compares every inspection level. For disputes or complex homes, our Hearth System Audits provide the most complete documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions