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 San Antonio Homeowners
A Chimney Inspection in San Antonio typically costs $129 to $349 depending on the level of inspection, and at Alcott Chimney San Antonio we walk you through exactly what you’re paying for before any tools come off the truck. Ruben Castellano has led this team since 2002, and every inspection comes with a written report, camera footage you can actually see, and a straight answer on whether your chimney is safe to burn. If something looks wrong right now, call (903) 515-5079 and a live person answers, day or night.
We know opening your door to a stranger is the hardest part of hiring any home service. That’s why every Alcott technician is background-checked, identity-verified, and sent to you by name and photo before the visit. The Threshold Standard isn’t a marketing phrase here. It’s how we’ve done business in San Antonio for over two decades.
Fireplace Inspection
Fireplace Inspection is a focused evaluation of the firebox, damper, hearth, and the visible portion of the chimney that serves your fireplace. San Antonio homeowners call us for this after buying a home, before their first fire of the season, or when they notice something off, like a damp smell, smoke backing into the room, or mortar crumbs on the hearth. A fireplace inspection at Alcott Chimney San Antonio runs $129 to $199 for a standard visual check, with camera inspection available as an add-on or upgrade. We don’t quote a repair until you’ve seen the footage yourself.
Firebox and Damper Checks
The firebox takes direct heat every time you light a fire, and hairline cracks in the refractory panels are common in San Antonio homes where fireplaces see heavy use from November through February. We check panel condition, damper operation, and hearth clearance. A cracked panel isn’t always an emergency, but it should not be ignored indefinitely because heat can reach combustible framing behind the masonry.
Smoke and Draft Testing
If your fireplace smokes back into the room, the cause is usually a cold flue, a partially closed damper, or a chimney that’s too short for the roof line. We test draft with a smoke pencil and watch how the flue pulls. Sometimes the fix is a simple as cleaning out a bird nest or adjusting how you build the fire, not an expensive rebuild.
Styles & brands we work with
Chimney Inspection Services
Chimney Inspection Services cover the full system from firebox to chimney cap, not just the parts you can see from the living room. We offer all three inspection levels defined by the National Fire Protection Association, from a basic visual check to a full interior camera scan. Most San Antonio homeowners book this service before buying or selling a home, after a chimney fire, or when a home inspector flags something on a real estate report. Pricing starts at $129 for a Level 1 visual inspection and goes up to $349 for a full Level 2 camera inspection.
Real Estate and Pre-Purchase Inspections
Buying a home in Alamo Heights, Schertz, or Windcrest? A standard home inspection glances at the chimney for about ninety seconds. We spend closer to an hour and give you photos and video of what’s actually inside the flue. That report gives you leverage in negotiations or the confidence to move forward knowing you won’t face a surprise $4,000 liner replacement in year one.
Annual Maintenance Inspections
If you burn fires regularly, plan on an inspection once a year, ideally in early fall before the burning season starts. We’ll check creosote buildup, flue tile condition, cap integrity, and water entry points. Catching a small issue in September costs a fraction of what it costs to fix by January, when the problem has had three months of heat and weather working against you.
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
Chimney Flue Inspection zeroes in on the interior passage that carries smoke and combustion gases out of your home. This is where creosote, that tar-like residue from wood burning, accumulates and where cracked flue tiles hide. A flue inspection in San Antonio runs $129 to $249 as part of a standard service, and our technicians use a high-resolution camera to show you the actual condition of the liner. If there’s a problem, you’ll see it on our screen in real time, not hear about it secondhand.
Creosote Buildup Assessment
Creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires, and it builds up fastest when you burn unseasoned wood or restrict airflow by closing the damper too soon. We measure the thickness of the creosote layer and tell you exactly when a sweep is needed. Under 1/8 inch is normal; anything over 1/4 inch means your next fire could be risky.
Flue Liner Condition Report
Many San Antonio homes built before the 1980s have clay tile liners that crack over time, and those cracks let heat and gases reach the chimney structure. We document every crack, spall, and gap with camera footage and give you a plain-English explanation of whether it needs immediate attention or can wait. If a liner is beyond saving, we install DuraFlex stainless steel systems, which carry a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
Chimney Fire
A Chimney Fire is what happens when creosote inside the flue ignites, and it often sounds like a freight train rumbling through the house or a loud popping coming from the chimney. If you suspect you’ve had one, even a small one that burned itself out, stop using the fireplace and call us at (903) 515-5079. Post-fire inspections in San Antonio run $249 to $349 because they require a full Level 2 camera evaluation to check for hidden damage. A chimney fire can crack flue tiles, warp metal liners, and damage mortar joints even when the house itself looks fine.
After a Chimney Fire: What We Look For
The first thing we check is whether the flue liner survived. Clay tiles often crack under the extreme temperature of a chimney fire, and those cracks become a direct path for heat to reach wood framing. We also inspect the chimney cap, crown, and exterior masonry for signs of thermal stress. You’ll receive a written report with photos so you can see every area of concern.
Preventing the Next One
Most chimney fires in San Antonio are preventable with an annual sweep and inspection. We’ll help you understand what caused the fire, usually creosote accumulation or burning inappropriate materials like wrapping paper or cardboard. Then we’ll give you a maintenance schedule that fits how often you burn and the type of wood you use.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
A Level 2 Chimney Inspection is a more thorough evaluation that includes everything in a Level 1 check plus a complete interior camera scan of the flue, and it’s required whenever you’re buying or selling a home, after a chimney fire, or after any major weather event like a hailstorm or earthquake. In San Antonio, expect to pay $249 to $349 for a Level 2 inspection. Alcott Chimney San Antonio performs these regularly for real estate transactions, insurance claims, and homeowners who want the full picture before investing in repairs.
Real Estate Transactions
If you’re closing on a home in Boerne or Terrell Hills, the buyer’s lender or insurance company may require a Level 2 inspection before finalizing the deal. We schedule these promptly and deliver the report with clear photos and written findings the same day. Our reports are accepted by local agents, lenders, and insurance providers throughout Bexar County.
Storm and Weather Damage
San Antonio gets its share of hail and high winds, especially in spring and fall, and those storms can crack chimney crowns, shift caps, and damage flashing. A Level 2 chimney inspection after a major storm documents the damage for your insurance claim. We’ll give you an honest assessment of what needs fixing now and what’s cosmetic.
Chimney Leak
A Chimney Leak is water entering your home through or around the chimney structure, and it shows up as water stains on the ceiling near the fireplace, damp smells in the room, or efflorescence on the exterior brick. Leak diagnosis in San Antonio runs $129 to $199 for the inspection itself, and the repair cost depends entirely on the source, which could be anything from a cracked crown to failed flashing to a missing chimney cap. We find the exact entry point before we recommend any fix.
Common Leak Sources in San Antonio Homes
Our climate is rough on chimneys. Intense sun bakes the crown until it cracks, then sudden downpours force water into those cracks. Failed flashing around the roofline is another frequent culprit, especially on older homes in Castle Hills, Cibolo, and Leon Valley where original flashing has seen forty years of expansion and contraction. We also see leaks from unlined chimneys where water seeps straight through the masonry.
Water Damage Repair Options
Once we’ve identified the source, we’ll quote you a fix with a written price before any work starts. Small crown cracks can be sealed with a professional-grade waterproofing compound. Larger structural issues may require a new crown or a stainless steel chase cover. If the leak has damaged the flue liner, we carry Copperfield and Famco components to get your system watertight and safe again.
Chimney Camera Inspection
A Chimney Camera Inspection uses a high-resolution camera on a flexible rod to see every inch of your flue interior, including areas no human eye can reach. We perform camera inspections as a standalone service or as part of a Level 2 inspection, and in San Antonio the camera add-on typically runs $99 to $149 when bundled with another service. At Alcott Chimney San Antonio, we don’t ask you to take our word for anything. You watch the screen with us, see the actual condition of your liner, and get a copy of the footage.
What the Camera Shows You
On screen, you’ll see creosote buildup, cracked tiles, gaps between sections, and any obstructions like nests or debris. You’ll also see clean, healthy flue tiles if that’s what’s there, and we’ll tell you plainly when no work is needed. The camera doesn’t lie, which is exactly why we use it on nearly every inspection we do.
When a Camera Inspection Makes Sense
We recommend a camera scan before buying a home, after any chimney fire, when a leak is suspected inside the flue, or if it’s been more than five years since anyone looked inside. It’s also valuable if you’re switching from wood to gas and want to confirm the flue is sized and lined correctly. In San Antonio, where many homes have chimneys built in the 1970s and 80s, camera footage often reveals issues that a visual glance would miss.
Brands We Service
We work with the brands chimney professionals actually specify, and that matters when a repair has to last. HeatShield is our go-to resurfacing system for flues with cracked tiles, restoring a smooth, insulated surface without a full liner replacement. DuraFlex stainless steel liners are what we install when the original clay liner is beyond saving, and they carry a lifetime manufacturer warranty.
Famco and Copperfield components show up regularly in our repair work, from chimney caps to chase covers to flashing assemblies. These are the same parts sold through professional supply houses, not the box-store substitutes that fail after two seasons of Texas sun. Whether your chimney has Famco components, Copperfield parts, or any other make, we can service it properly.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- You smell smoke or soot in the house when the fireplace isn’t in use. This usually means the flue isn’t drafting properly, and gases are coming back into your living space. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so if you’re smelling smoke, there may be more in the air than you realize. Call us before you light another fire.
- Water stains appear on the ceiling or walls near the chimney. Water is actively entering your structure, and it’s finding its way through the masonry or flashing. Every rainstorm makes the problem worse and the repair more expensive. A chimney leak in San Antonio won’t dry out on its own.
- You hear animals or scratching sounds from the chimney. Birds, squirrels, and raccoons build nests in chimneys, especially in spring. Those nests block the flue, trap carbon monoxide, and create a fire hazard. We remove nests and install proper caps to keep them out.
- You had a chimney fire, even a small one that went out by itself. The fire may be out, but the damage is not. A chimney fire can crack the liner and weaken the structure in ways you can’t see from the outside. A post-fire inspection is non-negotiable before using the fireplace again.
- You see white staining or crumbling brick on the exterior chimney. That white powder is efflorescence, and it means water is moving through the masonry. Crumbling mortar and spalling brick follow. Water getting into the structure is the single biggest cause of expensive chimney repairs in San Antonio.
Our Process, Step by Step
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You call and talk to a real person. When you call (903) 515-5079, a live person answers, day or night. We ask about your chimney’s symptoms, your home’s age, and what you’re seeing, then we schedule a visit that fits your schedule. You’ll know exactly who’s coming, because we send the technician’s name and photo before the truck rolls.
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Your technician arrives and verifies identity at the door. Every Alcott technician shows a photo ID badge before stepping inside. The person at your door matches the name and photo we sent. This is the Threshold Standard, and it’s never skipped, not for any reason.
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We inspect and show you what we find. Depending on what you need, we perform a visual check, a camera scan, or a full Level 2 inspection. You watch the camera feed with us if we’re scanning the flue. We document everything with photos and clear notes, and we explain findings in plain English, not trade jargon.
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You receive a written price before any work starts. If we find a problem, we quote it in writing. No verbal estimates that change later, no surprise line items at the end of the job. You approve the number before we touch anything, and if the best answer is that nothing needs fixing, we’ll tell you that too.
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We complete the work and back it in writing. Every repair comes with a written guarantee, and if the repair fails within the coverage period, the second visit is free. That’s the 365-Day Done Right Promise, and it covers every completed job for a full year. You get the report, the footage, and the written guarantee before we leave.
How Much Does Chimney Inspection Cost in San Antonio?
A standard Level 1 chimney inspection in San Antonio runs $129 to $199, while a full Level 2 inspection with camera footage costs $249 to $349. Most homeowners land somewhere in the middle depending on the age of the home, the condition of the chimney, and whether any repairs are identified during the visit. If repairs are needed, you’ll receive a separate written quote before any work begins. No repair is ever started without your written approval.
What affects the price: the inspection level required, the height and accessibility of your roof, whether the chimney is masonry or factory-built, and whether we’re also diagnosing a specific problem like a leak or a draft issue. Homes in neighborhoods like Converse, Kirby, and Lackland AFB with single-story roofs are typically the most straightforward. Steeper roofs or chimneys with limited access add time, which adds cost.
How to avoid overpaying: work with a company that shows you the actual camera footage and gives you a written quote. If someone quotes you a liner replacement without showing you why, get a second opinion. Our free phone estimates cover the inspection itself, and we always tell you if a repair can wait. Call (903) 515-5079 for an exact quote on your home.
Our Service Area Near San Antonio
Alcott Chimney San Antonio serves the entire San Antonio metro area, including Chimney Inspection in Schertz and Chimney Inspection in Cibolo, plus Boerne, Alamo Heights, Windcrest, Castle Hills, Terrell Hills, Kirby, Leon Valley, Converse, and Lackland AFB. Most inspections are scheduled within a few business days, and for urgent situations like a suspected chimney fire or an active leak, we prioritize getting a technician to you quickly. Since 2002, we’ve covered the full Bexar County area, and we know the housing stock here, from mid-century ranch homes to new construction.
Serving San Antonio, TX - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the San Antonio 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 San Antonio
A chimney inspection is a professional evaluation of your chimney’s structure, flue, and components to determine whether the system is safe to use. The NFPA defines three levels of inspection, ranging from a basic visual check to a full camera evaluation of the flue interior. At Alcott Chimney San Antonio, we perform all three levels and give you a written report with photos and plain-English findings. Inspections typically take 45 minutes to an hour.
Most chimney inspections in San Antonio take between 45 minutes and 90 minutes, depending on the level of inspection and the accessibility of the chimney. A Level 1 visual check is fastest, while a Level 2 camera inspection takes longer because we’re running the camera through the full flue and documenting every section. You’ll have the written report in hand before we leave the property.
A chimney inspection in San Antonio typically costs $129 to $349 depending on the inspection level. Level 1 visual inspections run $129 to $199, and Level 2 camera inspections run $249 to $349. Every quote includes a written price before we start, and if repairs are identified, those are quoted separately in writing. Call (903) 515-5079 for a free estimate specific to your home.
Yes, we service all major chimney and fireplace brands, and we install professional-grade components from Famco, Copperfield, DuraFlex, and HeatShield. These are the same brands chimney professionals specify through trade supply houses, not the generic parts at retail stores. If your system uses a manufacturer we don’t stock, we can source the correct parts and install them properly. Our home page has more detail on the brands we carry.
Yes, for urgent situations like a chimney fire, an active leak, or a strong smoke smell inside the home, we prioritize your call and get a technician out as quickly as possible. A live person answers the phone 24/7 at (903) 515-5079, so you’ll never leave a voicemail during an emergency. If you suspect a chimney fire, stop using the fireplace immediately and call us before lighting another fire.
Every repair we complete comes with a written guarantee, and if the repair fails within the coverage period, the second visit is free. That’s our 365-Day Done Right Promise, and it covers every completed job for a full year. Inspections themselves don’t need a guarantee, but the repairs that come from them do, and we put that guarantee in writing every single time.
You don’t need to do much. Clear any decorations or furniture away from the hearth area so we have room to work, and if you have pets, plan to keep them in another room while we’re moving around the house. If you know the history of the chimney, like a past fire or leak repair, mention it when you call so the technician arrives prepared. We handle everything else.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Service in San Antonio Today
Your chimney works hard during San Antonio’s burning season, and a professional inspection is the only way to know it’s safe. Call (903) 515-5079 and you’ll talk to a live person who can answer your questions and schedule your inspection at a time that works for you. Every estimate is free, every price is in writing before work begins, and every technician arrives with a name, a photo, and a badge. You’ll know exactly who’s coming before the truck pulls into your driveway.
Written by Ruben Castellano, Owner at Alcott Chimney San Antonio, serving San Antonio since 2002.