NFPA 211, the national standard for chimneys and fireplaces, calls for an inspection every year, gas fireplaces included.NFPA 211
The inspection NFPA 211 lists for a home sale or transfer, usually with a camera scan of the flue.NFPA 211
home clothes dryer fires a year in the US. Failure to clean is the leading cause.U.S. Fire Administration
What’s your chimney doing?
You don’t need to know the part’s name. Tap what you see and we connect you with a licensed local pro.
Water after rainChimney leaks
A stain on the ceiling or wall by the fireplace. Usually the crown, cap or flashing.
Scratching or chirpingAnimal in the chimney
Raccoons, birds or a nest in the flue. Removed the legal way, then capped.
Dryer takes foreverDryer vent cleaning
Lint in the vent makes the dryer slow and hot. A cleaning usually fixes both.
Musty or smoky smellSweep and cleaning
Old soot and damp creosote smell worst in humid weather. A sweep usually clears it.
Won’t light or stay litGas fireplace service
Pilot, burner, logs and vent checked and cleaned by a pro licensed for gas.
Rusted or missing capCaps and crowns
A cap keeps rain and animals out. A cracked crown lets water in.
Selling or buyingHome sale inspection
A Level 2 inspection with a camera scan and a written report.
Association askedCondo fireplace report
A written fireplace and chimney report with photos for your building.
Photos show typical South Florida homes, not specific jobs.
Not sure what it is? A pro will tell you.
Call now or book a call back. A licensed local pro looks first and quotes before any work.
The vent most homes forget
In South Florida the dryer runs all year. Lint builds up in the vent until the dryer takes two cycles and runs hot.
A dryer vent cleaning usually covers:
- The whole vent, from the dryer to the outside wall or roof
- An airflow check before and after
- A guard on the outside vent against birds and nests
Three steps to a safe chimney
One call, a licensed local pro and a written quote.
- 1
Call or send the form
Tell us what’s going on: a home sale, a leak, a smell, an animal, a dryer vent or just a yearly check.
- 2
A licensed pro calls you back
We connect you with a licensed local pro who serves your area, to hear what you need and set a time.
- 3
A look and a written quote
The pro checks the problem and gives you a written quote before any work starts. No obligation.
Across South Florida
Tap your county to see the cities.
Miami-Dade County
MiamiMiami BeachCoral GablesPinecrestKendallDoralAventuraKey BiscaynePalmetto BayMiami LakesNorth MiamiHomestead
Broward County
Fort LauderdaleWestonParklandCoral SpringsPlantationDavieHollywoodPembroke PinesSouthwest RanchesCooper CityPompano BeachLighthouse Point
Palm Beach County
Boca RatonDelray BeachBoynton BeachWellingtonJupiterPalm Beach GardensWest Palm BeachPalm BeachLake Worth BeachRoyal Palm BeachTequestaJuno Beach
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an inspection if I rarely use my fireplace?
Yes. In South Florida many fireplaces sit unused for years, and that is when nests, rust and rain damage go unnoticed. NFPA 211 calls for a yearly inspection whether the fireplace is used or not.
I’m buying or selling a home. Which inspection do I need?
A Level 2 inspection, the one NFPA 211 lists for a home sale. It covers everything a Level 1 does plus the attic, crawl spaces and a camera scan of the flue, and you get a written report to share with the other side.
My condo association wants a fireplace report. Can you help?
Yes. We connect you with a licensed local pro who inspects the fireplace and chimney and gives you a written report with photos that you can hand to the association or building manager.
Why does my chimney leak when it rains?
The usual causes are a missing or rusted cap, a cracked crown, worn flashing where the chimney meets the roof, or porous brick or stucco. A pro finds the source before suggesting any repair.
Can you help with a gas fireplace?
Yes. The gas logs, pilot and burner are checked and cleaned and the vent is inspected. Any work on the gas line itself is done only by a pro licensed for gas work.
There’s an animal in my chimney. What should I do?
Close the damper and don’t light a fire. Call us and a pro removes it the legal way. Chimney swifts are protected by federal law, so their nests can only be removed after they leave. A cap keeps animals out afterwards.
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
Most homes need it about once a year, and sooner if the dryer takes more than one cycle, the laundry room gets hot or you smell something burning. Clean the lint filter after every load in between.
How much will it cost?
It depends on the chimney or vent and what it needs. The pro looks first and gives you a written quote before any work starts, with no obligation. Using ClearDraft Chimney is free.
Who does the work?
An independent, licensed local chimney and dryer vent pro who serves your area. ClearDraft Chimney is a free referral service: we connect you with the pro, who gives the quote, does the work and stands behind it.
Leak, smell, animal or dryer vent?
Get it looked at.
We connect you with a licensed local pro who looks first and gives you a written quote before any work.