Chimney Inspection St. Louis

Code-Based Chimney Safety Inspections

A chimney inspection is the only way to know whether your fireplace, stove, furnace, or water heater is venting safely. At The Mad Hatter Service Company, every hearth-related inspection is based on St. Louis City & County and St. Charles City & County currently adopted municipal code, and follows the inspection levels defined in NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys, fireplaces, vents, and solid fuel-burning appliances.

Our CSIA certified technicians do more than look up the flue with a flashlight. Every inspection includes an internal scan of the flue and a written condition report, so you see exactly what we see.

Which Inspection Do You Need?

• Routine Chimney Sweep & Core Inspection $299
• Sweep & TMH Level 2 Inspection $379
• The Mad Hatter Hearth System Audit A $679
• Definitive Truth Hearth Appliance System Audit B $749

Core Inspection (NFPA 211 Level 1)

For chimneys that are used regularly and have had no changes. Includes a routine sweep, a Level 1 inspection of the readily accessible parts of the chimney, firebox, and connections, an internal scan of the flue, and our NFPA 211 Hearth Operation Condition Report.

TMH Level 2 Inspection

Everything in the Core Inspection, plus a rooftop, attic, and foundation inspection. NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection when a home is sold or transferred, when an appliance is added, removed, or replaced with a different type, and after a chimney fire, storm, earthquake, or other event that could have damaged the chimney.

Hearth System Audits A and B

Our most complete evaluations. Audit A adds thermal imaging and heat simulation, water intrusion analysis, laser geometry, and draft and pressure diagnostics. Audit B adds chimney integrity testing and ultrasonic thickness readings to verify UL listings. Both include an in-depth safety dossier, and they are the right choice for complex homes, real estate disputes, insurance claims, and homeowners who want a definitive answer.

When to Schedule a Chimney Inspection

• Once a year, before the heating season, as recommended by NFPA 211
• Before you buy or sell a home with a fireplace or chimney
• When you replace a furnace, boiler, water heater, insert, or stove
• After a chimney fire, lightning strike, or major storm
• When you notice smoke in the room, odors, water stains, or falling debris
• Before using a fireplace that has sat unused for years

What We Check

• Flue liner condition, sizing, and continuity
• Creosote and soot buildup, blockages, and animal nests
• Firebox, smoke chamber, damper, and hearth extension
• Crown, cap, flashing, mortar, and brick on the exterior
• Clearances to combustibles in the attic and around the chimney
• Connections and venting for gas furnaces, boilers, and water heaters

If we find a problem, we explain it in plain language, show you the photos or video, and give you options. Repairs such as UL-Listed relining and IRC-compliant masonry repairs are quoted separately. Call today for your free estimate on any repair. Real estate professionals can learn more on our real estate inspections page.

Frequently Asked Questions