A focused evaluation of every component inside and around your fireplace. Wood-burning, gas, pellet, and insert systems inspected by CSIA-certified technicians who know what Denver conditions do to every type of fireplace.
A chimney inspection evaluates the full chimney system from the rooftop down. A fireplace inspection zeros in on the components you interact with: the firebox where the fire burns, the hearth that protects your floor, the damper that controls airflow, and all the internal parts that make the system function safely. We evaluate both as part of our standard service, but some homeowners have specific fireplace concerns that need a focused look.
What we examine depends on the type of fireplace, so the details are broken out below.
The firebox takes more thermal punishment than any other component. We check every firebrick for cracking, spalling, and deterioration. We inspect the mortar joints between bricks for erosion and gaps. We measure clearances between the firebox and any combustible materials. A single cracked firebrick isn’t an emergency. A firebox with multiple failing bricks and missing mortar is a fire risk, and that’s when wood fireplace repairs come into the conversation.
The hearth extension is the non-combustible floor area in front of and around the firebox opening. It protects your flooring from embers and radiant heat. We check it for cracks, adequate sizing per code requirements, and proper material. An undersized or damaged hearth extension is a code violation that puts your floor at risk.
We test the damper for full open and full close operation, check the seal quality, and look for rust, warping, and creosote interference. A damper that doesn’t close fully wastes heating dollars all winter. A damper that doesn’t open fully causes smoke problems.
The smoke chamber funnels combustion gases from the firebox into the flue. We inspect it for cracks, missing parging, and any gaps that could allow heat to reach wood framing. Older fireplaces often have rough, corbeled smoke chambers that trap creosote and create turbulence. We note whether parging is needed to bring the smoke chamber to modern standards.
The lintel is the steel bar or angle iron that supports the masonry above the firebox opening. We check it for sagging, rust, and heat damage. The facing (the brick or stone surround visible from the room) gets checked for cracking, loose mortar, and separation from the firebox structure.
Gas fireplaces have an entirely different set of components that need evaluation. The fact that they don’t produce creosote doesn’t mean they don’t need annual attention.
These sensors detect the pilot flame and generate the voltage that tells the gas valve it’s safe to stay open. They degrade over time, and Denver’s dry, dusty air accelerates that process. We test millivolt output on-site and flag sensors that are near the end of their service life before they fail completely.
We check the gas valve for proper operation, test for leaks at all connection points, and verify that supply line routing meets code. A gas leak at the valve or a supply connection is odorless until it reaches a concentration that the odorant can make detectable, and by that point there’s already a safety risk.
Standing pilot, intermittent pilot, and hot surface ignition systems each have different failure modes. We verify the pilot lights consistently, the flame is the correct color and size, and the ignition sequence completes without delay. Delayed ignition (gas building up before the spark catches) is a common and dangerous problem we specifically test for.
Direct vent, natural vent (B-vent), and vent-free systems each have specific requirements for clearances, connections, and termination points. We verify that the venting is intact, properly connected, unobstructed, and terminating correctly for the system type. A disconnected or blocked vent can route carbon monoxide directly into your living space.
For sealed gas fireplaces, we check the glass for cracks, the door gasket for deterioration, and the ceramic logs or glass media for proper positioning. Mispositioned logs or media can alter the flame pattern and combustion quality, producing soot or carbon monoxide that a properly configured unit would not. Anything we find can be handled by our gas fireplace repair technicians.
Wood-burning inserts, gas inserts, and pellet inserts are self-contained units installed inside an existing fireplace opening. They have their own specific inspection requirements beyond what a standard fireplace evaluation covers.
We check the insert itself (firebox, gaskets, glass, blower, controls), the liner connection between the insert and the chimney, the surround and trim for proper installation and clearances, and for wood inserts, the catalytic combustor if equipped. The liner connection is especially important because a gap or disconnection at that joint means combustion gases are entering the chimney chase instead of going up the liner.
Annually, at minimum. Late summer or early fall is ideal because it gives time to address any findings before the burning season. But there are situations where you should schedule sooner: if you smell gas or a burning odor when the fireplace isn’t in use, if the pilot light won’t stay lit, if you see soot accumulating on the glass of a gas fireplace, if smoke enters the room when you light a wood fire, or if you’ve just purchased a home and don’t know the fireplace’s service history. Most homeowners pair the inspection with an annual chimney sweep, and our pricing page lists what each option costs.
A chimney inspection evaluates the full system from top to bottom including crown, cap, flashing, masonry, and liner. A fireplace inspection focuses on the components inside and around the fireplace: firebox, hearth, damper, smoke chamber, and gas components. We evaluate both as part of our standard service.
A fireplace evaluation is included as part of our standard Level 1 chimney inspection, starting at
A chimney inspection evaluates the full system from top to bottom including crown, cap, flashing, masonry, and liner. A fireplace inspection focuses on the components inside and around the fireplace: firebox, hearth, damper, smoke chamber, and gas components. We evaluate both as part of our standard service.
A fireplace evaluation is included as part of our standard Level 1 chimney inspection, starting at $165 for wood-burning and open gas fireplaces and $215 for sealed gas units. Full details are on our pricing page.
Annually, regardless of how often you use it. Components deteriorate from age and moisture even when the fireplace sits idle.
Yes. The thermocouple, gas valve, pilot assembly, ignition system, and venting connections all need annual evaluation. A malfunctioning gas system can leak carbon monoxide. If we find a problem, our gas fireplace repair team can fix it.
For wood systems: firebrick, mortar joints, damper operation, smoke chamber integrity, hearth adequacy, and combustible clearances. For gas systems: thermocouple and thermopile function, gas valve, pilot assembly, media positioning, blower, and venting.
Yes. We inspect wood, gas, and pellet inserts including the unit, liner connection, surround, trim, and safety clearances.
65 for wood-burning and open gas fireplaces and $215 for sealed gas units. Full details are on our pricing page.
Annually, regardless of how often you use it. Components deteriorate from age and moisture even when the fireplace sits idle.
Yes. The thermocouple, gas valve, pilot assembly, ignition system, and venting connections all need annual evaluation. A malfunctioning gas system can leak carbon monoxide. If we find a problem, our gas fireplace repair team can fix it.
For wood systems: firebrick, mortar joints, damper operation, smoke chamber integrity, hearth adequacy, and combustible clearances. For gas systems: thermocouple and thermopile function, gas valve, pilot assembly, media positioning, blower, and venting.
Yes. We inspect wood, gas, and pellet inserts including the unit, liner connection, surround, trim, and safety clearances.
Wood, gas, and pellet fireplace inspections by CSIA-certified and NFI-certified technicians.
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