Chimney Surveying
A chimney camera inspection of a flue will enable us to detect the existence of many problems. Problems such as breaches in the flue wall, blockages from poorly installed liners, bird’s nests, fallen debris or damage to the mid-feathers (the brick partition between two flues).
It will also show up problems like heavy tarring which will need more advanced sweeping measures to be removed. We use state of the art high definition pan and tilt camera will be used for inspections, this camera allows precise inspection by being able to tilt 180 degrees and pan 360 degrees remotely. (Many companies use cameras that are not suited for this task and miss many faults)
A recording of the inspection can be made onto a suitable format for you or your insurance company. A detailed report will also accompany this recording, outlining the condition of the flue shaft plus the exterior of the stack among many other key points and noting any recommendations for any remedial action if needed.
We also offer flue route mapping, used to ascertain the route of a flue to assist with:
- Party wall surveyors
- Relocation of existing chimneys
- Re-positioning of existing appliances
- Safe conversion of larger houses into separate flat units
When should you consider having your chimney surveyed?
- After a chimney fire.
- If you've moved into a new house and want to know the condition of the flue.
- If you are installing a new stove
- If you are changing the heating appliance that the flue serves
- If you are experiencing chimney problems such as the smell of smoke a room upstairs or any other room when the fire is going.
- If there are cracks or smoke spillage marks on the chimney breast or stack.
- If you are worried if an appliance or chimney system has not been fitted correctly.
- Prior to and after large construction works from adjoining properties
- Chimney survey inspections are available upon request in Dublin, Wexford, Kildare, Meath or Wicklow, other areas will be considered.
Chimney and appliance testing
The flue within a chimney must be sound and fit for purpose. We can provide a range of tests to establish if there are any faults within your chimney set up. These include to check that the flue is acceptably airtight and that there any no gases able to escape your flue shaft into rooms in the dwelling through breaches in the flue wall.
We also carry out smoke spillage testing along with smoke draw and flue draught interference testing on request along with matching air vents to appliance types and sizes.
We are making our dwellings evermore airtight, it is important to make sure there is adequate ventilation in the room serving the solid fuel appliance. There are also several other appliances in a home that draw air from a house like extractor fans, so it is important to make sure they are not competing for the same air. Failure to provide for this can result in Carbon Monoxide issues. The Soot Doctor Ltd can advise on these issues.
