Inside the home
The inspection usually starts at the fireplace or stove. The firebox, damper, glass, doors, and seals are checked for wear and damage. On a gas fireplace, that includes the burner, pilot, and vent connection.
Soot, stains, and rust are useful clues. They can point to draft problems or water getting in from above.
Inside the flue
The flue is the passage that carries smoke and gases out of your home. It is checked for blockages, creosote, and damage to the liner. Nests and debris are common causes of a blocked flue.
Outside the home
Outside, the crown, cap, bricks, mortar, and flashing are checked where they can be reached safely. Cracks in these areas can let water into the structure, and that damage tends to grow over time.
When to book one
Yearly is the common recommendation for a fireplace in regular use. An inspection also makes sense when you buy a home, when a fireplace has sat idle, or when smoke and smells start showing up in the room.
A good inspection ends with clear answers: what needs attention now, and what can wait.