Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Trusted Chimney Inspection for Austin Homeowners
A chimney inspection in Austin typically costs between $149 and $450 depending on the level of inspection your chimney needs, and most inspections take 45 to 90 minutes from start to finish. Alcott Chimney Austin has been serving homeowners since 2002, and Ruben Castellano leads a team that shows up exactly when promised, with a name and photo sent to you before we ever pull into your driveway.
If you’ve been putting off a chimney inspection because you’re not sure who to trust or what it should cost, that’s a fair hesitation. We solve both problems with written pricing before any work starts and a 365-Day Done Right Promise on every inspection and repair we complete. Call (361) 420-8585 and a live person answers, day or night.
Key Takeaways
- Chimney inspections in Austin run $149 to $450 depending on level, with written pricing before any work begins.
- Alcott sends every technician’s name and photo before arrival, and they show a photo ID badge at the door.
- We use chimney camera equipment on Level 2 inspections so you see the same images we see.
- Every repair carries a written guarantee. If it fails within the coverage period, the second visit is free.
- Live phone answering 24/7 at (361) 420-8585.
Styles & brands we work with
Fireplace Inspection
A fireplace inspection is a focused evaluation of the firebox, damper, and hearth where your fire actually burns, lasting about 30 to 45 minutes and typically running $149 to $250 in Austin. We look for cracked firebrick, damaged mortar joints, rusted dampers, and any signs that heat or smoke have been escaping into places they shouldn’t. If you use your fireplace more than a few times each winter, an annual fireplace inspection catches small problems before they turn into expensive rebuilds.
What We Check in the Firebox
We inspect every firebrick and mortar joint for cracks, spalling, and erosion. We also check the ash dump and cleanout door if your home has them, since loose ash around combustible framing is a fire hazard most homeowners never see.
Damper and Draft Testing
A damper that doesn’t seal properly sends heated and cooled air out of your Austin home year-round. We test the damper operation and perform a smoke draft test to confirm your fireplace pulls combustion gases up and out, not back into the room.
Chimney Inspection Services
Chimney inspection services cover the full system from firebox to chimney cap, and in Austin they typically cost $149 to $450 depending on whether you’re getting a Level 1 visual check or a Level 2 camera inspection. Alcott Chimney Austin offers all three levels defined by the National Fire Protection Association, and we’ll tell you plainly which one you actually need instead of upselling you into equipment you don’t require. A standard Level 1 inspection is right for chimneys that have been working fine with no changes, while a Level 2 is required when you’re buying or selling a home in Austin or after a major weather event.
Written Report With Every Visit
You walk away with a written summary of what we found, what it means in plain English, and what can wait versus what needs attention now. No vague verbal summaries, no pressure to decide on the spot.
Honest Recommendations, Camera Proof
If we recommend a repair, we show you the camera footage or photos that support it. You should never hand thousands of dollars to a chimney company based on a story you can’t verify, and with our process, you don’t have to.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Chimney Flue Inspection
A chimney flue inspection is an evaluation of the inner passageway that carries smoke and combustion gases out of your home, and in Austin it typically costs $149 to $450 depending on whether we’re doing a visual check or running a camera through the flue. The flue is where creosote accumulates, where hidden cracks form, and where a chimney fire usually starts. Austin’s hot, dry summers followed by cold snaps put real stress on flue liners, especially in older homes in neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Travis Heights.
Creosote and Blockage Assessment
We measure creosote buildup, which is the tar-like substance that fuels chimney fires, and we check for blockages like bird nests, squirrel debris, or fallen masonry. Austin is home to chimney swifts during migration season, and their nests are a common obstruction we remove.
Liner Condition and Clearance Check
We look for cracks, gaps, and spalling in your flue liner, and we verify that the flue maintains proper clearance from combustible framing. A cracked flue liner in an Austin home is not a cosmetic issue; it allows heat and carbon monoxide to reach areas that were never designed to handle them.
Chimney Fire
A chimney fire happens when creosote inside the flue ignites, and it can burn explosively or smolder quietly at temperatures that crack liners and spread to the home’s structure; an inspection after any suspected chimney fire is urgent and typically runs $149 to $450 in Austin. The most common signs are a loud roaring sound like a freight train, visible flames shooting from the chimney top, or a strong hot smell during or after a fire. If you believe you’ve had a chimney fire in your Austin home, stop using the fireplace and call (361) 420-8585 for a full inspection before another fire is lit.
Post-Fire Damage Assessment
Chimney fires damage flue liners in ways you cannot see from the outside. We run a camera through the flue to check for cracked tiles, separated mortar, and damaged metal liners after any fire event.
Prevention Through Regular Sweeping
The chimney fires we see in Austin almost always involve chimneys that haven’t been swept in years. Annual sweeping and inspection remove the creosote that becomes fuel, and they give us a chance to catch problems while they’re still cheap to fix.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
A Level 2 chimney inspection is the most common inspection we perform for Austin homeowners who are buying or selling a home, and it includes everything in a Level 1 plus video scanning of the entire flue interior, typically costing $300 to $450 in Austin. You need a Level 2 inspection when ownership changes hands, after a chimney fire, after a severe weather event like the hail storms Austin gets every spring, or when you’ve made changes to the heating system. The camera reveals what a visual inspection misses: hidden cracks, deteriorated mortar joints, and improperly installed liners.
When You’re Buying a Home in Austin
Austin’s real estate market moves fast, and chimney problems often get skipped in the rush to close. A Level 2 inspection before you sign protects you from inheriting a liner replacement or firebox rebuild that costs thousands.
After Storms and Freezes
The freeze-thaw cycles we get in Austin winters, especially during hard freezes like February 2021, expand and contract masonry in ways that crack flues and shift chimney crowns. If your chimney took a hit from hail or ice, a Level 2 inspection tells you whether it’s cosmetic or structural.
Chimney Leak
A chimney leak in Austin homes usually comes from a failed chimney crown, damaged flashing, or cracked brick that lets water seep into the chimney chase, and diagnosing one typically costs $149 to $300 with a full inspection. Austin’s wet springs and flash-flood downpours test chimney waterproofing all year. Signs of a leak include water stains on the ceiling near the chimney, damp smells in the firebox, rust on the damper, and efflorescence, which is the white powdery deposit left when water moves through masonry.
Finding the Source, Not Just the Symptom
We trace leaks to their actual source: crown cracks, step flashing failure, or spalling brick. Caulking over a symptom without fixing the source is how Austin homeowners end up paying for the same repair twice.
Waterproofing With Professional Materials
When repointing or waterproofing is needed, we use professional-grade products from brands like Gelco and Olympia Chimney. These are the materials chimney professionals specify for the freeze-thaw cycling Austin sees every winter.
Chimney Camera Inspection
A chimney camera inspection uses a video camera to show the inside of your flue in real time, and it’s included in every Level 2 inspection we perform in Austin, which runs $300 to $450. The camera reveals exactly what we’re seeing: cracked flue tiles, gaps in the mortar, animal debris, and buildup that doesn’t show on a visual check. After the inspection, we review the footage together so you can see the condition for yourself, not just take our word for it.
What the Camera Shows That Eyes Can’t
Flues twist and bend, especially in older Austin homes with traditional masonry construction. The camera reaches those hidden offsets and returns images we can freeze and discuss with you on the spot.
Documentation for Insurance and Real Estate
Camera footage gives you documentation that’s useful for insurance claims after a chimney fire or storm event. If you’re selling an Austin home, a video record of a clean, intact flue is powerful evidence for buyers.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterBrands We Service
We work with professional trade materials on every project, including liners and components from Gelco and Olympia Chimney. These are the brands chimney professionals specify because they’re engineered for real flue conditions, not box-store substitutes that fail early in Austin’s climate. Our technicians are trained on the installation and service requirements for these systems, and we stock their components so repairs don’t stall while parts ship from somewhere else.
We also service units built with Famco and Copperfield components, which are common in newer Austin construction and in gas fireplace setups. Whether you have a Gelco liner that needs assessment, an Olympia crown that’s showing weather wear, or a Famco damper that needs replacement, we can help with the same written pricing and the same 365-Day Done Right Promise.
Signs You Need a Pro Right Now
- A roaring sound from the chimney during or after a fire. That sound is the chimney fire itself. Stop using the fireplace immediately and call us for an inspection before anything else is burned.
- Water stains on the ceiling or walls near the chimney. Water is finding a path through your chimney chase, and every Austin rainstorm makes it worse. The leak will not fix itself.
- White, chalky deposits on the outside of the chimney. This is efflorescence, a sign that water is moving through your masonry. Left alone, it leads to spalling brick and structural damage.
- A strong smell like a campfire inside your home when the fireplace isn’t in use. This usually means creosote buildup or a draft problem is pushing flue gases back into your living space, which is a carbon monoxide risk.
- Rust on the damper or firebox walls. Rust means moisture is getting in where it shouldn’t. In Austin’s humidity, rust damage accelerates quickly and can seize your damper shut.
Our Process, Step by Step
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You see who’s coming before we arrive. When you book an inspection with Alcott Chimney Austin, we send the technician’s name and photo to your phone before the appointment. At your door, they show a photo ID badge that matches the name you were given. Every technician passes a background check and identity verification through the Threshold Standard before they ever step on your property.
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We protect your home before we start. Our technicians lay down drop cloths around the fireplace and set up a HEPA vacuum system to keep dust and soot out of your living space. Your floors, furniture, and air stay clean.
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We inspect at the level your situation requires. A Level 1 visual check for a chimney in regular use, or a full camera inspection for a home sale, storm damage, or suspected chimney fire. We explain which one you need and why before we begin, not after we find something.
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We review findings with you on the spot. If we used a camera, you watch the footage with us. We explain what we see in plain English, what it means, and what can safely wait. Written pricing for any recommended repair is delivered before any work starts, always.
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You get a written report and a guarantee. Every inspection ends with a written summary, and every repair carries a written guarantee. If a repair fails within the coverage period, the second visit is free. That’s the 365-Day Done Right Promise, and it’s included on every job.
How Much Does Chimney Inspection Cost in Austin?
A Level 1 chimney inspection in Austin typically runs $149 to $250, while a Level 2 camera inspection runs $300 to $450. The price depends on the chimney’s height, accessibility, and whether you’ve had recent fire or storm events that require closer examination. If you’re combining an inspection with a chimney sweep, the bundled price is usually more favorable than booking them separately.
What affects the price most is the level of inspection your situation genuinely requires. A single-story home with a straightforward flue and no known problems rarely needs more than a Level 1. A two-story home in neighborhoods like Allandale or Rosedale, a home with a complicated roofline in Westlake Hills, or a chimney that’s been through a chimney fire will need the camera work of a Level 2. We’ll tell you which is right for your situation and quote a written price before anything begins, so the number on your invoice matches the number we agreed on.
Avoid overpaying by understanding what you’re paying for. Some Austin chimney companies bundle sweeping into inspection pricing by default, whether you need it or not. We itemize separately and explain why each line item exists. Our free estimates include the inspection itself, the written report, and an honest discussion of what we found.
Our Service Area Near Austin
We serve homeowners throughout Austin and the surrounding communities, including Chimney Inspection in Leander and Chimney Inspection in Pflugerville. We also work regularly in Brushy Creek, Hutto, Lakeway, Bastrop, Camp Swift, Hornsby Bend, Lost Creek, Shady Hollow, and Wells Branch. Most of our Austin appointments are scheduled within a few days, and our live phone line at (361) 420-8585 is answered around the clock, so you can book whenever it’s convenient.
Serving Austin, TX - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Austin area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Inspection in Austin
A chimney inspection is a systematic evaluation of your fireplace, flue, damper, and exterior masonry to confirm the system is safe to use and free of dangerous creosote buildup, blockages, or structural damage. We follow NFPA 211 standards, which define three levels of inspection based on your situation. Most Austin homeowners need a Level 1 annual check, while home sales and storm events call for a Level 2 with camera work.
A standard Level 1 chimney inspection in Austin takes 45 to 60 minutes from arrival to finishing the written report. A Level 2 inspection with camera work takes 60 to 90 minutes. You’ll know the timeframe when you book, and our technicians respect your schedule.
Plan on $149 to $250 for a Level 1 chimney inspection and $300 to $450 for a Level 2 with camera work in Austin. The final price depends on your chimney’s height and accessibility, and you’ll get a written quote before any work begins. Call (361) 420-8585 for an exact quote, estimates are free.
Yes, we install and service components from Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield. These are professional trade brands our technicians are trained on, and we stock their components so repairs don’t stall waiting on parts. Whether you know your system’s brand or not, we’ll identify what you have and service it properly.
If you suspect a chimney fire, if water is actively leaking through your chimney after an Austin storm, or if you smell smoke when the fireplace isn’t in use, call (361) 420-8585 any time. A live person answers, day or night, and we’ll schedule an inspection as quickly as our calendar allows. Stop using the fireplace until we’ve checked it.
Every repair we complete carries a written guarantee that’s included at no extra charge. If the repair fails within the coverage period, the second visit is free. That’s the 365-Day Done Right Promise, a full year of accountability on every completed job.
Clear the area around your fireplace of furniture and decor, and make sure we can access the roof if the inspection level requires it. If you have pets, please secure them before our technician arrives. Keep the flue closed until we start, and you’ll see our technician’s name and photo before we ever ring the bell.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Service in Austin Today
You’ll know exactly who’s coming to your door, exactly what your inspection costs, and exactly what we found when we’re done. Call (361) 420-8585 for a free estimate and a live person will help you schedule your chimney inspection in Austin. We’re a home services company built on certainty, and we’d like to prove it to you.
Written by Ruben Castellano, Owner at Alcott Chimney Austin, serving Austin since 2002.