Ocean County roofing built around coastal exposure.

A chimney inspection should identify the wood-burning system being reviewed, the accessible areas included and any limits created by access or concealed construction. It is separate from a whole-home inspection.

Chimney cleaning—also called chimney sweeping—removes accessible soot and deposits from a wood-burning flue. The visit also creates an opportunity to note visible concerns before the fireplace is used again.

A chimney liner should be selected around the existing flue, fireplace or appliance connection, access and termination—not sold as a one-size-fits-all tube.

A chimney leak can involve the crown, cap, masonry, stucco, flashing, counterflashing or nearby roofing. The repair should follow the actual water path.

Chimney flashing repair should follow the visible water path. Water near a chimney may begin at step flashing, counterflashing, nearby roofing, the crown, cap or masonry—not necessarily at the first surface patch you can see.

Open mortar joints, loose brick and deteriorated exterior finishes let weather move deeper into a chimney. A masonry scope should identify what can be repointed, what needs replacement and how the crown and roof transition connect to the repair.

The cap and crown sit at the most exposed part of the chimney. Their job is different, but both matter when rain, debris and freeze-thaw cycles reach the top of the system.

Smoke in the room, damaged firebox joints, a sticking damper or persistent odor can point to different parts of the fireplace and chimney system.